My Heart Rate Drops Dramatically During My Long Runs

CallMeRuPaul

I've been running for about 2 years now. A few months ago, my heart rate started dropping during my long runs. It's gone from about 160 bpm to about 75 bpm at 9-10 miles into my runs. I don't feel dizzy or faint when this happens, but I know it's not a good thing so I end up walking to let my heart rate recover. At first, I thought the cause was dehydration, but I figured out that wasn't the case. I then thought it was due to overheating, but I don't think that's it either. Has anyone experienced anything like this? As far as I know, I'm in excellent health. I get a physical and labs done at least once a year.

cheshirecatastrophe

My rule is that I do NOT mess around with my heart. If heart rate wonkiness happens, I'm at the doctor as soon as I know something is up.

cleback

cheshirecatastrophe wrote: »

My rule is that I do NOT mess around with my heart. If heart rate wonkiness happens, I'm at the doctor as soon as I know something is up.

This. I'm glad you're not symptomatic when it happens, but I think you should still get it checked out.

dewd2

Equipment malfunction? Have you manually checked your pulse to be sure it is being reporting accurately?

If accurate, don't mess around. Get it checked.

taeliesyn

dewd2 wrote: »

Equipment malfunction? Have you manually checked your pulse to be sure it is being reporting accurately?

If accurate, don't mess around. Get it checked.

^^^ That!

DonPendergraft

My heart rate strap will sometimes give wonky numbers. Usually though it's when I first start running. It may shoot up to 176 or something when I know it's more like 110. It will after a bit settle down. If you take your pulse at your carotid artery, does it reflect a 76? If so, get it checked out. If reads much higher, then forget about it.

lporter229

DonPendergraft wrote: »

My heart rate strap will sometimes give wonky numbers. Usually though it's when I first start running. It may shoot up to 176 or something when I know it's more like 110. It will after a bit settle down. If you take your pulse at your carotid artery, does it reflect a 76? If so, get it checked out. If reads much higher, then forget about it.

Mine does this exact same thing. It sometimes gives me numbers over 200, which I know is higher than my MHR. But it is almost always at the beginning of my run. However, if you think it's accurate, I would definitely talk to a doc.

MinimalistShoeAddict

taeliesyn wrote: »

dewd2 wrote: »

Equipment malfunction? Have you manually checked your pulse to be sure it is being reporting accurately?

If accurate, don't mess around. Get it checked.

^^^ That!

I agree that an equipment issue is likely but this is worth investigating further.

CallMeRuPaul

I've got a 15 mile run on Saturday and an 11 mile run on Sunday. I don't think it's an equipment malfunction, but I will manually take my pulse if/when my heart rate drops to see if it's accurate.

RunRachelleRun

I have a benign arrhythmia and get this sometimes, though it most often bounces between low and high so I will get a reading of 50 and then a 220+ and in-between. When the battery needs to be replaced on my strap I get the steady drops like you are mentioning or when I accidentally wear it upside down (my Garmin has a left and right and the console - for lack of a better word - needs to be right side up). I would think you would be able to feel if it is a heart issue or an equipment issue. I suggest you see your doctor and ask for a 24hr Holter monitor you can wear on your long run to capture what your heart is doing, and hopefully you can reproduce it during the test.