Heart rate 85 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 85 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 85 means

That is still normal. Studies have linked a resting heart rate that stays in the upper part of the range (above about 80 bpm) with a somewhat higher long-term cardiovascular risk, so if yours is consistently here, regular aerobic exercise, sleep and stress management are the usual first steps.

Your resting rate varies by several beats from day to day. Measure at the same time — ideally in the morning before getting up — and look at the average over a week rather than a single number.

Ranges apply to adults and children aged 10 and older, measured at rest (American Heart Association). By the numbers: at 85 bpm the heart beats about every 0.71 seconds — roughly 122,400 beats a day.

Running a temperature with a pulse of 85

When you have a cold, the flu or another infection, a resting rate in the mid-80s is very common. Fever speeds up the heart in a fairly predictable way: roughly 10 extra beats per minute for each degree Celsius above normal, which works out to about 5 or 6 beats for each degree Fahrenheit. Someone who usually rests at 70 and has a temperature of 100.4 °F (38 °C) might easily read 80 to 85.

Several things drive the rise. A higher body temperature speeds up the chemistry of every cell, so tissues need more oxygen and the heart delivers it by beating faster. The immune response itself releases substances that excite the heart. Sweating and drinking less while ill can leave you short of fluid, and the heart adds beats to make up for the lower blood volume.

Using the pulse to follow an illness

As the fever breaks, the resting rate normally falls back too, often over a day or two. Many people with a wearable notice that their resting or overnight pulse rises a day before they feel ill and stays raised for a few days after the symptoms fade. That pattern is normal and is a useful reminder to take it easy.

• Drink regularly, especially with fever or diarrhea.
• Rest. Hard training during a fever puts extra strain on the heart, and viral infections can occasionally inflame the heart muscle.
• Return to exercise gradually once your temperature has been normal for a day or two, and let your morning pulse guide you. If it is still well above your usual value, wait.

When a fast pulse with infection is a warning

A pulse that matches the fever is expected. A pulse far higher than the temperature explains, especially above 100 at rest, needs more thought, particularly if it comes with any of these:

• confusion, unusual sleepiness or slurred speech
• fast or difficult breathing
• cold, clammy or mottled skin
• very little urine over a day
• chest pain or palpitations that persist after the fever comes down

These can be signs of sepsis or of the heart being involved, and they need urgent care. Older adults, people with chronic illness and those with weak immune systems should have a lower threshold for calling a doctor. For tips on taking an accurate pulse while you are sick, see resting heart rate.

For a reliable resting value, sit quietly for five minutes first and average a few mornings: Resting Heart Rate: What It Says About Your Health. You can also measure by tapping along on the start page.

Nearby values

• 80 bpm
• 81 bpm
• 82 bpm
• 83 bpm
• 84 bpm
• 86 bpm
• 87 bpm
• 88 bpm
• 89 bpm
• 90 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 85 in a child.

Sources: American Heart Association: All About Heart Rate · MedlinePlus: Pulse · ACSM position stand on exercise intensity (2011)

This page explains a single reading in general terms. It is not a diagnosis. Heart rate alone cannot tell whether the rhythm is regular or whether the heart is healthy — if you are worried, talk to a doctor.