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184 bpm?

HereLieWe
HereLieWe Posts: 233 Member
edited March 7 in Fitness and Exercise
I am 18 years old. If the maximum heart rate calculators are correct, my maximum heart rate is 202 beats per minute. Usually when I go on the elliptical, I stay between 145 and 160 bpm. Today, no more than ten minutes into the workout, my heart rate jumped to 175 and quickly climbed, reaching an apex of 184. That's 91% of my max heart rate. Since I was experiencing no pain or dizziness and actually felt very good, I decided to wait and see. It gradually decreased but stayed around the 170s. I suppose it's possible that the elliptical machine miscalculated my bpm, because never have I actually gone beyond 170bpm.

The only difference today was that I took two caffeine pills about thirty minutes before working out. Is it possible that the caffeine could have had an impact on my bpm?

Also, should I be concerned if my bpm reaches the 180s again? What happens if it stays at that level? Can I have a heart attack?

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    caffeine is a stimulant, so yes it effects your heart rate.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    Skip the caffeine pills. And yes, they affected your BPM.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    As someone who has supraventricular tachycardia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, unless you are experiencing dizziness, fainting, and chest pain with the high heart rate, then a HR in the 180s is typically nothing to be worried about.

    Also, ditch the caffeine pills.
  • HereLieWe
    HereLieWe Posts: 233 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    caffeine is a stimulant, so yes it effects your heart rate.
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    Skip the caffeine pills. And yes, they affected your BPM.

    The caffeine really helps me stay awake after a long day. If I take it an hour before working out, is it fine?
  • HereLieWe
    HereLieWe Posts: 233 Member
    FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »
    As someone who has supraventricular tachycardia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, unless you are experiencing dizziness, fainting, and chest pain with the high heart rate, then a HR in the 180s is typically nothing to be worried about.

    Also, ditch the caffeine pills.
    Thank you. That's a relief.
  • hermann341
    hermann341 Posts: 443 Member
    Maybe just one caffeine. I usually have some before a fasted workout in the morning.
  • HereLieWe
    HereLieWe Posts: 233 Member
    hermann341 wrote: »
    Maybe just one caffeine. I usually have some before a fasted workout in the morning.

    All right! (:
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    If you are truly concerned about an elevated heart rate do not take a stimulant that elevates your heart rate even without exercise.
This discussion has been closed.

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