HRmax research - statistics and background needed

yirara

I will have a 48h ecg, and I know the cardiologist will complain about my high workout HR. He already told me my HRmax should only be around 178, and if it get higher I should not be working out at all. He said though that my heart appears to be normal and can't explain why I should not work out with a higher heart rate (my max is at around 210, and I can perfectly talk at 180!). We're doing the test due to very infrequent tachicardic episodes not related to working out. I don't think we catch one of those though.

Anyway, looking for some background information on maxHR distribution and on the background of that equation. I read a while ago that a cardiologist ages ago looked at some limited data on the plane to a conference and just put a line through it. Then used it as a joke during his presentation or something like that.

Thus normal distribution pattern for HRmax, how large are the deviations from the mean and what % of a population has higher deviations?

EvgeniZyntx

So you are looking for outlier data to tell your doctor he's wrong about TE's?

Umm - that isn't how that works. If you are experiencing TE's (even infrequently) he's probably right that keeping track and limiting your HR during exercise and not playing statistical roulette is part of those things commonly called A Good Idea™.

Having said that, go look for the HUNT study on HRmax (not the max VO2 article), as far as I know that is the biggest cohort and their error basis is 10 beats.

You can also see google HR research from Tanaka, Londeree, Inbar or Gellish. These are the most common formulas used for HRmax (after the standard 1930 formula).

Here is a review of the history of the equation. https://www.asep.org/asep/asep/Robergs2.pdf
Here is another study:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935487/

You'll be able to wave that at your doctor and tell him he's wrong about HRmax.
And then when you keel over from an unmanaged TE he'll get the last laugh.

Even if your HRmax is 210 - you should be able to train well and efficiently below 178 (85% HRMax).

TL;DR: HRmax formulas are *kitten*. Someone experiencing TEs and now using a Holter monitor should still listen to their doctor.

yirara

Well, look. Very infrequent and usually at night. My HR when working out has been high all my life, and I've been working out for years without any problems at all. These episodes probably were always present. This doctor told me to not get my HR higher than about 106-125, which is walking for me in this hilly/mountainous area. His response was that I should take a car and not walk! I did ask him about the reason and his only explanation was because my HR should not be above 178 due to the 220-age equation, and that 60-70% of the equation max is perfect for women for working out. Men can get higher. Yes, he did actually say that. He even hinted that women should not be working out at all, but rather spend their time cleaning the house and cooking, which is enough movement for them If I had the possibility to ask for a different doctor I would just do that. But I can't. I'm just furious!

EvgeniZyntx

yirara wrote: »

Well, look. Very infrequent and usually at night. My HR when working out has been high all my life, and I've been working out for years without any problems at all. These episodes probably were always present. This doctor told me to not get my HR higher than about 106-125, which is walking for me. His response was that I should take a car and not walk! I did ask him about the reason and his only explanation was because my HR should not be above 178 due to the 220-age equation, and that 60-70% of the equation max is perfect for women for working out. Men can get higher. Yes, he did actually say that. He even hinted that women should not be working out at all, but rather spend their time cleaning the house and cooking, which is enough movement for them If I had the possibility to ask for a different doctor I would just do that. But I can't. I'm just furious!

Ok, well, you didn't mention any of that.

Having a doc tell you you shouldn't walk would have me walking out the door. And the other stuff, well, that boggles the mind. But you aren't going to be able to "get back at him" with some articles.

Why can't you ask for a different doc?

(The TE's are still a big red flag, get the Holter done. Track your HR and see if you are experiencing minor TE events during the day).

If you are overweight and out of shape - work on both of those (add exercise at sub 178 HR slowly) and find a new doctor. You are in the UK, right?

yirara

You know, there's only this cardiologist at my local hospital. He doesn't even work there but comes over once per week or so. Under the health system here I cannot simply get an appointment in a different town. I could ask for a second opinion, but that will take at least 25 weeks, maybe even longer as I had a take in already and have been offered some tests. I suppose this guy will be sending a report to my GP, and that's someone I can talk to properly. My GP's a bit too quick with prescribing medication, but he listens to reason. It's for him that I need some documentation. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Btw, my BMI is around 20, and I've been maintaining for over a year now. Been working out properly for 10 years or so but only done so continuously for three years or so now.