Heart rate 85 beats per minute at rest: is this normal? Normal indicators and deviations from them

In the article we will look at what a pulse of 85 beats per minute means. After all, this indicator is very important for diagnosis and assessment of heart function. This is the main component that indicates the presence of various diseases. Knowing what the pulse of a healthy person should be is necessary in order to notice deviations from the norm in time and take appropriate actions.

In a healthy person, the normal heart rate (HR) is 60-80 beats/min. But it happens that without significant reasons, for example, physical activity, the pulse begins to increase. In some cases, this process is accompanied by other unpleasant sensations. If such a condition is regular, you should find out its cause. So, what does a heart rate of 85 beats per minute mean?

Cause of heart palpitations

Normal heart rate depends, first of all, on age, but it is also worth remembering that each organism has its own characteristics.

The normal heart rate for newborns is 110-140 beats/min.
In children under 7 years old – 95-100 beats/min.
In adolescents – 75-85 beats/min.
In adults – 60-80 beats/min.
In the elderly – 60 beats/min.

If the heart rate exceeds the specified values, then we can talk about a rapid heartbeat.

First of all, you should determine the reasons for the increase in heart rate to 85 beats or higher. They can be both pathological and normal physiological. In the first case, you need to pay special attention to this symptom.

What to do if your heart rate is low?

A low pulse in an elderly person may be accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, headache, a feeling of lack of air, even fainting. If the pulse drops to 40-50 beats per minute, you should immediately call an ambulance, since in this state oxygen starvation occurs - brain hypoxia.

In order to choose the right tactics in the event of bradycardia, it is necessary to measure not only the heart rate, but also the pressure. If your blood pressure is high, it is not recommended to artificially increase your heart rate. Do not offer the patient coffee, strong tea, or force him to exercise. It will be enough to open the windows to provide fresh air and call a doctor.

If the pressure is normal, then:

you can prepare a warm or hot bath for the patient with the addition of essential oils;
brew a cup of hot black tea;
offer to eat a couple of slices of dark chocolate;
do several physical exercises, for example, in a vertical position, lower or raise your arms several times, clench and unclench your palms;
give a light massage, for example, to the earlobes;
apply a mustard compress to the collar area for 15-20 minutes.

You can also resort to taking medications, but only if prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is strictly not recommended.

Causes of increased heart rate in healthy people

First, you should consider the physiological causes of increased heart rate, when such a phenomenon is a normal reaction of the body:

Feature of the body.
Excitement, fear.
Stressful situation.
Exercise stress.

Thus, a pulse of 85 beats/min, if a person is at rest, is normal. If the increase is provoked by physiological reasons.

Factors that can provoke increased heart rate

If an increase in heart rate occurs when a person is at rest, it is necessary to find out what factors provoke this phenomenon:

Pregnancy, toxicosis.
Fever.
Acute forms of respiratory diseases.
Hypertension.
Age-related changes.
Excess weight.
Uncontrolled use of medicines.
Alcohol.
Excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks.
Use of substances that can alter mental state.
Use of antidepressants.
Use of stimulants.
Sleep disorders.

Many people are wondering if a pulse of 85 is normal?

Diseases that may have a rapid heartbeat as a symptom

In cases where these causes of increased heart rate are excluded, it is necessary to consider a rapid pulse as a symptom of pathology. It may occur in the following cases:

A number of cardiac pathologies - arrhythmia, myocardial dystrophy, cardiomyopathy, ischemic disease, arterial hypertension, heart disease, myocarditis. To exclude possible pathologies, you should consult a cardiologist.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia. This pathology is also characterized by the development of symptoms such as dizziness, low blood pressure, and headache.
Diseases of infectious origin. They are characterized by increased temperature and dehydration, which can affect heart rate.
Poisoning.
Climax.
Endocrine system disorders. For example, dysfunction of the thyroid gland can be characterized by the development of symptoms such as increased irritability, weight loss, and long-term increased heart rate.
Anemia. In addition to an increase in heart rate, it is characterized by general weakness and pale skin.
Benign and malignant tumors.

In this regard, the appearance of a rapid pulse of up to 85 beats or higher in the absence of visible reasons is a direct reason to consult a specialist.

High and low heart rate in older people

If you are systematically bothered by a rapid or, on the contrary, low pulse, and it has nothing to do with physical or emotional stress, climatic conditions, nutrition, or excess weight, this is a reason to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

If the pulse values of an elderly person go beyond the upper normal limits, then they speak of tachycardia - rapid heartbeat. If, in a calm state, the heart rate in elderly people is below 60 beats per minute, they speak of bradycardia - low heart rate. Tachycardia and bradycardia are not independent diseases; they are only symptoms signaling that a pathological process is occurring in the body.

There are a number of diseases that are characterized by pulse deviations from normal values. Tachycardia is a companion to chronic heart failure, hypertension, heart defects, inflammatory heart diseases, as well as ailments not associated with disruption of the heart muscle: anemia, endocrine diseases, adrenal tumors, dehydration, diseases of the nervous system, psychosis.

Tachycardia can also be provoked by high body temperature, as well as certain medications, for example, vasoconstrictors, diuretics, and sedatives.

Bradycardia accompanies diseases such as myocardial pathologies, coronary heart disease, hypothyroidism, poisoning, infectious diseases, and brain tumors.

In order to detect and begin treatment of dangerous ailments in time, older people need to regularly, at least once a year, have an ECG, and in the presence of cardiovascular diseases, additionally echocardiography, Holter monitoring, ultrasound of the thyroid gland and carotid artery, urinalysis, general and biochemical tests are indicated blood tests.

Symptoms

Often, a rapid pulse occurs due to the development of a phenomenon such as tachycardia. It can be paroxysmal and sinus.

With sinus tachycardia, an increase in heart rate occurs due to stress or physical activity. The pulse can reach 100 beats per minute or more, but it returns to normal when the factors are eliminated.

Paroxysmal tachycardia is understood as an increase in heart rate caused by cardiac pathology.

In this case, the pulse can increase to 140-220 beats/min. This condition is characterized by the development of other symptoms - general weakness, nausea, dizziness. Attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia begin suddenly, before which the patient feels tremors in the chest.

Paroxysmal tachycardia is classified according to the foci of excitation - ventricular, atrial.

The cause of the development of ventricular tachycardia can be inflammatory pathologies of the heart muscle, various forms of coronary disease, and heart disease. This condition is very dangerous and can lead to severe consequences such as shock, pulmonary edema, and cardiac death.

With atrial tachycardia, the heart rate remains normal, but the heart muscle experiences oxygen starvation. When an attack occurs, the patient experiences a feeling of shortness of breath and heaviness in the chest. In addition, blood pressure may increase, and the patient begins to choke. The last two symptoms are characteristic of tachycardia provoked by disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

For atrial tachycardia, therapy can be effective only if the diagnosis is correctly determined and the pathology that provoked this condition is treated.

What to do if your heart rate is 85 beats per minute or higher?

Treatment

All medications for palpitations should be prescribed only by a cardiologist after a personal examination and the necessary tests. The most commonly prescribed drugs are:

Anti-anxiety medications are effective in cases of emotional stress. This group includes medications such as Novopassit, valerian root, Afobazol. They can be purchased without a prescription, following the instructions for use.
Medicines against arrhythmia reduce the heart rate and normalize it. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Verapamil, Adenosine and Flecainide. These medications can only be taken after a doctor's prescription.

In addition to the main treatment, the patient may be prescribed drugs that indirectly affect the cardiovascular system:

Beta blockers normalize hormonal levels, which can be destabilized due to stress.
Antioxidants.
Cardiac glycosides.

But the most effective treatment method is still to prevent the occurrence of maximum heart rate. Doctors advise everyone who cares about their health to exclude fatty and spicy foods, alcohol and cigarettes from their diet. Regular exercise, such as running, strengthens the heart and improves endurance. A fully balanced diet of vegetables and fruits will provide the body with the necessary microelements. A lack of calcium negatively affects the heart, so it is important not to neglect this measure. Non-traditional treatments are also quite effective. Patients note significant improvement after acupuncture and herbal medicine. Quite often, an elevated pulse occurs along with high blood pressure, and it is important to address both problems at the same time.

Procedure for increased heart rate

Undoubtedly, self-medication is dangerous; it is important to consult with professionals in a timely manner and undergo all prescribed examinations. But in the absence of serious pathologies, certain measures can be taken to normalize heart rate at home:

You should give your body moderate physical activity and adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
In cases where the heart rate increases due to stress, you can undergo treatment with sedatives based on valerian or motherwort. But first you should study the manufacturer’s instructions, the rules for using the product and contraindications indicated therein.
Reflexology.
The use of decoctions based on sedative herbs. For example, you can use hawthorn infusion. To prepare it, pour 15 grams of berries with a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour in a warm place. You should drink this infusion three times a day, a third of a glass, about half an hour before meals.
It is recommended to saturate your diet with foods that have a beneficial effect on the activity of blood vessels and the heart. Among them are nuts, parsley, beets, rose hips, and currants.
An unconventional method of normalizing heart rate is the use of clay. When an attack occurs, a layer of clay should be formed and applied to the chest in the area of the heart.
It is recommended to do breathing exercises. You need to inhale as much as possible, hold the air for 10-15 seconds, and then exhale it slowly. You can also do the following exercise - take a deep breath, pinch your mouth and nose, and try to exhale the air. In addition, trying to induce a gag reflex will help reduce your heart rate.
If you have permission from a doctor, you can use Valocardin or Corvalol.
Regular use of small amounts of honey in food and a honey neck massage will be effective.

Is heart rate 85 beats per minute normal? It is better to ask a doctor such a question for a specific person.

Measurement methods

Many factors can influence your heart rate. Anxiety, stress, physical activity, and various diseases can increase heart rate values. To obtain an adequate result, it is important to take these factors into account. In order to know what your maximum heart rate is and prevent tachycardia, it is important to measure your heart rate from time to time. There are several ways to do this. You can measure your pulse either using instruments or simply by pressing the artery with your finger. The heart rate is best felt on the inner bend of the elbow, on the neck and on the wrist. By placing your finger on one of these places, you can easily count your pulse rate. A heart rate monitor in the form of a watch or bracelet measures heart rate more accurately. The use of heart rate monitors is possible when necessary or on an ongoing basis. Many companies produce these devices in the form of watches or bracelets that read indicators around the clock. This way you receive data about your health over a long period of time.

But the easiest way to measure your pulse is simply by touching it - this method does not require special equipment. The most common way to measure the number of heartbeats is at the wrist. To get an accurate result, you need to sit on a chair and put your hand on the table, completely relaxing it. Then count your pulse for 60 seconds, having previously set a timer.

Increased heart rate with increased blood pressure

High blood pressure along with a rapid heartbeat often occurs under the influence of normal causes, such as mental arousal and physical stress.

This phenomenon is explained by physiology: physical activity provokes the release of adrenaline, which, in turn, causes an increase in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate.

Therefore, if heart rate and pressure indicators are not critical, and other symptoms are not noted, the phenomenon can be considered a normal reaction of the body.

However, such a condition may also indicate the presence of certain pathologies:

Respiratory system disorders.
Oncological neoplasms.
Anemia.
Disturbances in the functionality of the thyroid gland.

In addition, high blood pressure can be life-threatening, so it is recommended to consult a doctor.

How to stabilize an elevated heart rate?

An increased heart rate in older people requires close attention, even if examinations have not shown the presence of serious pathologies of the heart or other body systems.

To stabilize your heart rate, you must:

Review your diet. Limit or exclude salty, fried, spicy foods, smoked foods, coffee, and foods high in cholesterol. Give preference to vegetables, fruits, stewed, boiled, baked dishes.
Get your weight in order by adjusting your nutrition system.
Give up bad habits - alcohol, smoking.
Build a healthy sleep and rest regime, do not forget about daily walks in the fresh air, a contrasting shower.
Take care of your psycho-emotional health - do not get nervous over trifles, do not overexert yourself mentally.
Introduce reasonable physical activity - do gymnastics in the morning, do Nordic walking, swimming, water aerobics.

If an elderly person's heart rate increases slightly, you can resort to folk remedies - a decoction of rosehip or motherwort, tinctures of valerian, and medicinal herbs. Before you start taking it, you should consult your doctor to rule out contraindications and calculate the required dosage.

If an elderly person has a sharp increase in pulse rate, dizziness, difficulty breathing, pale skin, chest pain, weakness, it is necessary to provide emergency first aid:

ask the person to take a deep breath several times, hold their breath and tense their abdominal muscles for 10 seconds;
wash it with cold water;
give water or sweet tea, ask to lie on your stomach and relax;
You can perform the following technique: press your thumbs on your eyeballs with moderate force for 30 seconds;
offer a sedative medicine - validol, corvalol.

If after half an hour the heart rate does not return to normal, you must call an ambulance.

Increased heart rate with low blood pressure

A pulse of 85 beats can be combined with reduced blood pressure in the following conditions:

Hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Cardiopsychoneurosis.
Myocardial infarction.
Extensive blood loss.
Toxin poisoning.
Anaphylactic shock.

Low blood pressure with a simultaneous increase in heart rate may be accompanied by other symptoms: a throbbing headache, mild or moderate pain in the heart, and an unpleasant sensation in the chest.

So, pulse is 85, what to do?

Recommendations

If palpitations occur, first you need to pay attention to such aspects as:

Presence of additional symptoms.
Presence of heart rhythm disturbances.
Events preceding the attack.
Frequency of attacks.
Duration of the attack.

If possible, you should measure your blood pressure and count your pulse, and record the readings.

At this stage, it is already possible to determine the degree of danger of the condition and determine its normality. If there is a suspicion that the condition is acute, for example, anaphylactic shock or a heart attack, emergency assistance should be called immediately.

In cases where the condition develops under the influence of external factors, they must be eliminated.

What if your resting heart rate is 85 beats?

How to feel a person's critical pulse

You can feel the critical pulse for a person by measuring the indicator in a standard way - on the wrist (from the inside), on the neck or in the groin area, on the elbow. Signs that you should check the pulse and take measures to save the person:

blood pressure rises sharply;
there are complaints of tinnitus;
extremities begin to go numb and become cold (specifically, fingers and toes);
large drops of sweat appear on the face.

The person begins to get nervous, he may be overcome by an attack of fear of death, and shortness of breath occurs. Complaints about darkening of the eyes and pain in the chest (the area of the anatomical location of the heart) are a signal that you need to immediately call an ambulance, because the patient requires resuscitation measures.

Situations in which you should contact a specialist

You should seek professional help if:

As the heart rate increases, the blood pressure level rises sharply.
There are heart pathologies.
The functionality of the thyroid gland is impaired.
Has diabetes mellitus.
There are known cases of sudden death of relatives from heart pathologies.
Close relatives have problems associated with heart rhythm disturbances.
There is a pregnancy.
Each subsequent attack is more severe than the previous one.

When the condition is not acute, but attacks become more frequent for no apparent reason, it is important to consult a cardiologist as soon as possible.

First aid for tachycardia

To normalize your own condition with a resting pulse of 85 beats, it is recommended:

Wash your face with cool water.
Drink some water.
Provide access to fresh air.
Remove tight clothing, loosen ties, unfasten buttons to ensure free access of oxygen.
If dizziness or general weakness occurs, lie on your side.
Gently massage the eyeballs.

In order to prevent an increase in heart rate, it is recommended to do yoga, breathing exercises, give up bad habits, switch to proper nutrition, walk before bed, and take medicinal baths.

If the pulse is 85 beats per minute, we told you what to do. We hope the information presented will be useful to you.

How to determine your maximum heart rate yourself

There are many methods and formulas with which you can calculate the pulse for a specific person without averaged forms. Although these calculations are accurate, they do not take into account all factors, so the calculation error is 12%. The most famous formula is the Karvonen method, which determines the maximum possible heart rate in a person. To do this, you need to subtract your age from 220. For example, for a 30-year-old person, the maximum value would be 190 beats per minute. However, doctors do not recommend taking it to this point and allowing such critical values.

Another formula is considered more accurate: 205.8 - (0.685 * age). The result obtained is the upper heart rate bar. There are several pulse zones that affect many body processes. During training, to achieve the best results, you should try to keep your heart rate within the desired zone. For fat burning, 60-70% of the maximum heart rate is enough. Maintaining a low heart rate for a long time is good for your workout results and indicates a strong heart muscle.