Heart rate 137 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 137 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 137 means

If you just climbed stairs, exercised or are very anxious, a pulse of 137 can be a normal response and should fall within minutes. A fast rate that persists at rest can come from fever, dehydration, blood loss or anemia, an overactive thyroid, or a heart rhythm disorder such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

An irregular pulse at this speed is a typical sign of atrial fibrillation, which raises stroke risk and should always be evaluated.

Ranges apply to adults and children aged 10 and older, measured at rest (American Heart Association). By the numbers: at 137 bpm the heart beats about every 0.44 seconds — roughly 197,280 beats a day.

A scoop of pre-workout and 137 on the bench between sets

During a hard training session, 137 bpm is an ordinary working rate for many adults. The question is what happens once you stop. Without a stimulant, the pulse should fall fast in the first minutes and be close to normal within an hour or so. After a strong pre-workout drink or one or two energy drinks, it can stay up long after the last set, and a reading of 137 on the drive home is a sign that something other than the exercise is driving it.

Pre-workout powders are sold as dietary supplements. In the US these do not need FDA approval before they reach the shelf, and the label is the maker’s own account of what is inside. A single scoop often holds as much caffeine as several cups of coffee, and many people take a heaped scoop or two.

What is in the tub besides caffeine

• Caffeine from several sources: plain caffeine plus guarana, green tea extract or yerba mate, which all add to the total.
• Synephrine (bitter orange) and similar plant stimulants that act a bit like adrenaline.
• Yohimbine, which can raise both pulse and blood pressure and cause anxiety.
• Beta-alanine, which causes the harmless pins-and-needles tingle many users notice. It is not the reason for a racing heart.
• “Proprietary blends” that list ingredients without amounts. The FDA has warned that some products have contained DMAA, a stimulant that is not allowed in supplements.

Exercise and stimulants push the heart in the same direction, and so do heat, dehydration and a short night. Stacking them is where trouble starts.

Using the stopwatch after training

Sit down after your cool-down and check the pulse every ten minutes. A rate that drifts steadily toward normal is reassuring. One that stays near 137 for a quarter of an hour of rest, or feels uneven, is no longer a training number. Stop for the day, drink water, skip any more caffeine and follow the page advice: if it is still above 120 after that rest, contact a doctor today. Chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness during or after training need 911.

If you want to keep using these products, start with half a scoop, never take two different stimulant products together, and leave at least six hours before bed. Train by effort rather than stimulants for a few weeks and compare your rates; the heart rate zones guide helps you set targets that do not rely on a powder.

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

• 132 bpm
• 133 bpm
• 134 bpm
• 135 bpm
• 136 bpm
• 138 bpm
• 139 bpm
• 140 bpm
• 141 bpm
• 142 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 137 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.