Heart rate 98 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 98 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 98 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 98 bpm the heart beats about every 0.61 seconds — roughly 141,120 beats a day.

Two beats from the line: measure 98 again, properly

A reading of 98 bpm is still normal for an adult, but it is close enough to the tachycardia threshold that people naturally worry. Before you do, make sure the number reflects your heart at rest and not the last ten minutes of your day. Many high readings turn out to be measured too soon after walking up stairs, finishing a coffee or getting a worrying message.

A re-check routine that gives a true resting value

1. Pick the right moment. The most reliable time, and the one that is easiest to repeat each day, is in the morning, right after waking and before getting out of bed. Otherwise, choose a quiet time at least half an hour after exercise, a meal, coffee or a cigarette.
2. Sit or lie still for five minutes. No phone, no talking, breathing normally.
3. Count for a full minute. Use two fingers on the inside of the wrist below the thumb, or at the side of the neck, pressing gently. Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by four magnifies any miscount.
4. Repeat. Take two or three readings a minute or two apart and note the lowest steady value.
5. Keep the same position. Standing readings run higher than sitting, and sitting higher than lying.

If you use a smartwatch, keep your arm still and the strap snug. Optical wrist sensors are fairly accurate at rest but can drift with movement or a loose fit. A chest strap or a manual count is a useful cross-check. Cold fingers, tattoos under the sensor and a watch worn over the wrist bone can all reduce accuracy.

Reading the result over several days

One reading is a snapshot. Write down your morning value for a week and look at the average. If the re-check gives you numbers in the 70s or 80s, the 98 was probably a passing peak. If the average stays in the high 90s, think through the usual suspects: caffeine, alcohol the night before, short sleep, a cold or fever, dehydration, stress, or a medicine such as a decongestant. Our resting heart rate guide explains what affects the baseline.

If none of those explain it, bring your log to a doctor. Do not wait for a log if a fast pulse comes with chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness or a rhythm that feels chaotic.

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

• 93 bpm
• 94 bpm
• 95 bpm
• 96 bpm
• 97 bpm
• 99 bpm
• 100 bpm
• 101 bpm
• 102 bpm
• 103 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 98 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.