Heart rate 141 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 141 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 141 means

If you just climbed stairs, exercised or are very anxious, a pulse of 141 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 141 bpm the heart beats about every 0.43 seconds — roughly 203,040 beats a day.

Pregnant with a resting pulse of 141: call your care team

Pregnancy does speed the heart. Blood volume grows a great deal to supply the placenta, and the resting pulse typically rises by about 10 to 20 beats over the months. A woman who usually rests at 70 may sit in the 80s or low 90s late in pregnancy. A resting rate of 141 is far beyond that normal change. It is not something to wait out until the next routine visit.

Call your obstetrician, midwife or the hospital’s labor and delivery triage line today, even outside office hours. They are used to these calls. Have your weeks of pregnancy, the reading, how long it has lasted and any other symptoms ready.

Causes the team will think about

• Fluid loss: severe morning sickness, a stomach bug or heat.
• Anemia, which is common in pregnancy because the body needs much more iron.
• Infection, including kidney and urinary infections, which pregnancy makes more likely.
• Thyroid problems, which can start or change during pregnancy.
• A blood clot in the lung: pregnancy and the weeks after birth raise the risk of clots.
• Heart rhythm problems, or rarely a weakening of the heart muscle that can appear late in pregnancy or in the months after delivery.

Expect questions, a check of your blood pressure, temperature and oxygen level, an ECG, blood tests and a check on the baby.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if

• you are short of breath at rest, or breathing hurts;
• you have chest pain or cough up blood;
• you faint, or feel you are about to;
• one leg is swollen, red or painful;
• you have a severe headache, vision changes or swelling of the face and hands;
• you have heavy bleeding, fluid leaking, or the baby is moving much less.

These warning signs also apply for several weeks after the birth. Mention that you were recently pregnant to anyone who treats you.

Exercise is different. Older advice told pregnant women to keep their pulse under 140 during workouts; current guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists relies on effort and the ability to talk instead of a fixed number. A short spike during a brisk walk is fine if it falls back quickly. For how a normal resting rate is measured, 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

• 136 bpm
• 137 bpm
• 138 bpm
• 139 bpm
• 140 bpm
• 142 bpm
• 143 bpm
• 144 bpm
• 145 bpm
• 146 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 141 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.