Heart rate 89 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 89 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 89 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 89 bpm the heart beats about every 0.67 seconds — roughly 128,160 beats a day.

Resting at 89: the recovery minute tells you more

A resting reading of 89 bpm describes the heart when you are doing nothing. It says little about how well the heart and nervous system handle effort. For that, exercise physiologists look at a second number: heart rate recovery, the drop in pulse during the first minute after you stop hard exercise.

When exercise ends, the nervous system quickly switches from “go” to “rest” mode and the pulse begins to fall. In fit, healthy people this braking happens fast. A drop of less than 12 bpm in that first minute is a recognised marker of worse long-term outlook in medical studies. A clearly larger drop is the pattern you want to see.

The two numbers can disagree. Someone resting at 89 may still recover briskly after effort, and someone with a lower resting rate may recover slowly. Looking at both gives a fuller picture than either alone.

The braking is done mainly by the vagus nerve, the main nerve of the calming branch of the nervous system. Its pull on the heart grows stronger with regular endurance training, which is why recovery tends to improve within weeks of starting a routine, often before the resting number moves much.

Testing your own heart rate recovery safely

You need a chest strap or a reliable watch and a familiar workout. Only do this if you are already cleared for hard exercise.

1. Warm up, then work hard for a few minutes, for example a brisk uphill walk, a run or fast cycling.
2. Note the pulse at the moment you stop.
3. Stand or sit still and note the pulse exactly 60 seconds later.
4. Subtract the second value from the first.

Repeat the test under similar conditions every few weeks, since heat, caffeine and fatigue affect it. Chest straps are more accurate than wrist sensors during and right after movement. The heart rate zones page explains how hard “hard” should be for your age.

What improves both numbers

Regular aerobic training tends to lower a resting rate and speed up recovery at the same time. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming or jogging on most days of the week is the backbone. Better sleep and less alcohol help the nervous system switch to rest mode more readily.

A very slow recovery, dizziness after stopping, or chest discomfort during exercise is worth raising with a doctor, who may suggest a supervised exercise test.

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

• 84 bpm
• 85 bpm
• 86 bpm
• 87 bpm
• 88 bpm
• 90 bpm
• 91 bpm
• 92 bpm
• 93 bpm
• 94 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 89 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.