Higher HR when exercising

0831227

Hi everybody!

This discussion is also a general question, since I am not a physician and do not have an absolute answer for that situation, but I have come to find out that I am not the only person in this situation and I would like to know what you guys think and if some of you are like me.

I am a 25 yo woman, 5'2 and 145lbs of fat and also muscle, since I used to workout a lot when I was a teenager and built somewhat of a 'sportive' frame for a girl under my newfound fat rolls.

When I go to the gym, (when I was a teenager and very active) and nowadays when I am slowly getting back in shape, I have always found out that my HR was through the roof. Whether I am on the elliptical, the treadmill or on the bike, my HR is between 170-175 for light excercise (can talk with someone without being out of breath) and a whopping 180-185 when I am too out of breath to maintain a discussion but well enough to keep the pace for 25-30 mins without feeling dizzy or having trouble keeping up or breathing.

Now I know that it is supposed to be way too high for an HR, and that for my age I am supposed to keep it between 155-165, but the thing is that if I keep my HR to 165, I will only do a slight walk-jogg without even breaking a sweat or breathing faster.

I have never had any heart or asthma problems, it is that way since I am 17-18 years old and quite active (I was running 15k a week and doing muscular training).

Also, I don't know if it means anything but I have a very low blood pressure (can pass out in hot showers or on planes) and I noticed that people who shared a similar story with mine also had a low blood pressure. Maybe it could be linked in some way?

I have seen a doctor who is a generalist in the family and he said that 1. everybody was different so nothing can apply to 100% of people BUT 2. that HR was not considered normal based on what is known and recommended.

What do you people think? Am I going to pop an heart attack on the treadmill or am I just a fast rpm car?


BTW: sorry for the very long post!

subcounter

Umm, not breaking a sweat at 165 does sound interesting, even prolonged time? Like 165 for 20 minutes and you don't break a sweat?

Only thing I would recommend is seeing a medical professional, perhaps an exercise stress test could show whats going on a little bit. Nothing we can tell here on the internet would really make sense as certain symptoms can sometimes correlate to certain diseases but not necessarily relate to them.

comptonelizabeth

subcounter wrote: »

Umm, not breaking a sweat at 165 does sound interesting, even prolonged time? Like 165 for 20 minutes and you don't break a sweat?

Only thing I would recommend is seeing a medical professional, perhaps an exercise stress test could show whats going on a little bit. Nothing we can tell here on the internet would really make sense as certain symptoms can sometimes correlate to certain diseases but not necessarily relate to them.

Agreed! There are some conditions that could cause this and you need to see a doctor to get them ruled out if you're worried

Morgaen73

I have the opposite problem. I suffer from Sinus Bradycardia (abnormally slow HR), The highest I can push my HR to is 165 and then I feel like I'm dying lol My resting HR is between 41-48bpm.

Go see a cardiologist. Your heart is not something you mess with.

5n00py

As everyone else has said - get medical advice! At the very least perhaps an exercise physiologist.

My exercise physiologist advised that the maximum heart rate you ever want to hit used to be 220 minus your age. I believe this has been revised as there are a lot of other factors, however it still basically holds true according to what the app on my iPhone/Watch use - HeartWatch. According to what I'm seeing in that app, above 80% of the max is high intensity, 70-80% is increasing fitness, about 60-70% of max is fat burn. Below that is warm up/cool down.

I had a heart problem a couple of years ago where the top 2 chambers of my heart were fluttering and causing a resting heart rate of 130. I couldn't tell that I had a problem or elevated heart rate, so I have been a tad paranoid about monitoring it since!

From the look of when you became active here, I'm guessing that you are brand new back into exercising after a long break? My heart also peaked dramatically when I first started getting mobile again. It has taken a number of weeks to build up my active time and activity level, and my peak rate is dramatically lower now..... As such, I'd say "ease back into it", and listen to your body/heart!!!

Naruya

I had your exact problem a few years back. If I did any form of cardio for just a minute or so my HR would already be through the roof. There would be no way for me to stay in the fat-burning-zone at all because I'd either have a normal HR when not doing anything or it would nearly instantly be at 170 or higher. When I attempted running I even got to 200 which was troubling.

I actually got a fix for it, but it wasn't intentional. Because of my severe migraines I was put on beta-blockers to try and lower the amount of attacks I get. As a side effect my HR went down (because it's actually heart medicine) and I'm now able to workout with a "normal" HR. However, when I bike to work in the morning (within 30 mins of taking my medicine) my HR is still way higher than it should be, because the medicine haven't taken full effect yet.

Before I got the above fix I went to see a doctor about it because I was worried, but they said that if I wasn't feeling faint and was healthy otherwise it wasn't a problem. For you it might be a different case entirely so I would suggest you seek a second opinion from a medical specialist just to make sure. I also found that since I'm on these medicine I'm having an easier time working out and I'm actually able to go running, which was impossible before because you can't function with a HR of 200 for very long.

Azdak

There are two issues: one--your HR response is likely completely normal. Just like some people are short and others tall, some folks--esp female--have maximum HR that can be 25-35 beats above the "age-predicted" max heart rate estimate.

Two--in rare cases, the high HR can be from an abnormal condition. This can sometimes be symptomatic, but sometimes not.

The absence of any symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or inappropriate shortness of breath suggest that it is perfectly normal. However, that is obviously not something that can be determined by someone on the internet.

If you did want to get this checked out, you would want to see a cardiologist, not a GP, and preferably one who has some experience treating arrhythmias in people your age.

Any relationship between your HR and blood pressure is coincidental, not causal.

Your higher HR does not affect your ability to lose weight or burn fat in any way. It does mean, however, that any tracking device that uses heart rate will substantially overestimate your calorie burn and that you should avoid any HR interactive programs when doing cardio.

NorthCascades

0831227 wrote: »

When I go to the gym, ... I have always found out that my HR was through the roof. Whether I am on the elliptical, the treadmill or on the bike, my HR is between 170-175 for light excercise (can talk with someone without being out of breath) and a whopping 180-185 when I am too out of breath to maintain a discussion but well enough to keep the pace for 25-30 mins without feeling dizzy or having trouble keeping up or breathing.

Now I know that it is supposed to be way too high for an HR, and that for my age I am supposed to keep it between 155-165, but the thing is that if I keep my HR to 165, I will only do a slight walk-jogg without even breaking a sweat or breathing faster.

Where did you get the idea that your HR is supposed to be around 160? If it's from a formula like "220 - your age" then forget it completely.

AnnPT77

+1 to the "see a doctor to rule out anything serious" idea.

But also to the idea that that doesn't seem crazy high to me. First, all those max heart rate estimating formulas are rough rules of thumb. (And more recent research suggests 220-age is one of the least reliable.)

By three different max estimation formulas, and assuming that your resting heart rate is 60, then at age 25, 165 would be estimated to be somewhere around 80-85% using the training spreadsheet I have. 185 would be 90-95%-ish.

At the perceived exertion you're reporting, it sounds like you're actually at a lower percentage than those estimates, but it doesn't seem like your personal heart rate range would have to be way whacky higher than average to explain your case. Also, is it possible that you have some residual conditioning from your earlier athleticism and/or daily life activities that are giving you a bit more endurance or fitness for someone your age and size as well?

(P.S. I'm human proof that 220-age doesn't work universally: I'm 61. 220-age would be 159. I hit 159 in this morning's spin class with no huge impact, and do so semi-regularly. It's actually my anaerobic threshold range (85%-ish) because my actual max is around 180 (tested on a max effort rowing step test). And it's not about being a life-long athlete. I didn't get particularly active until my mid-40s.)

jessiferrrb

i have a high heart rate as well. i always have. i get up to 183-4 pretty much any time i run, and i run at like 5 mph, so i'm not quick. i also recover really quickly, so within 3 minutes after i stop it will drop back down to about 120, which is normal for me just walking around. my resting is in the high 70's to low 80's. i've never felt any discomfort from this and i tend to agree that it's going to vary greatly from person to person. i'm not the fittest person in the world but my friend who played college basketball had similar stats while at peak condition.

CricketClover

I too like others get a high HR. About 7 yrs ago when I started going to the gym I was so freaked out by it (190-200 bpm fast walking/jogging) that I talked to my doc about it and they did a stress test. Everything was normal and they performed a blood test as well and that is when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease). I have since been on thyroid meds. I have also seen a cardiologist who had me wear a heart monitor (big bulky thing with lots of wires) for 24 hours and did other tests and deemed me "normal" but I am on a pediactric dose of a beta-blocker that helps some. My cardiologist and my trainer have assured me that it really is ok for it to get high as long as it drops fairly quickly at rest or lower intensity level.

spiriteagle99

I'm another with a very high heart rate. At age 60, I can reach 182 at a medium intensity run. To keep my pace below 150 I am in the slow side of my recovery pace. I decided not to worry about it since I have no other symptoms. Many years ago I had a stress test on a TM and my HR shot up immediately. They asked if I wanted to stop. I said no, because I felt fine, and continued for 15 or so minutes. When I stopped, the HR dropped immediately. At the time, I could go up to 210 during an aerobics class. I think some people just naturally have a much higher natural heartbeat when they exert.

NorthCascades

Heart rate is extremely individual, it varies so much from one person to the next. But here's a rule that applies to all of us.

Exercise means using your muscle power to do some kind of work. Could be picking weights up, or it could be propelling yourself on foot or on a bike.

Using those muscles burns energy. A lot of that energy comes from fat. This process requires oxygen. Your heart's job is to pump oxygenated blood through your body. Exercise is more intense than watching TV, so your muscles need more oxygen to exercise. That's why your heart rate rises when you exercise.

feetjustgo

I'm in my late twenties and my HR also shoots up while exercising (similar to what you've reported, but I go even higher when running). It really freaked me out when I first started using a HR monitor, especially since it seemed impossible to work out in the "right" range. I got the same advice that others have shared--not to worry about it unless other troubling symptoms popped up. My doctor at the time didn't even order any testing, although I've done full blood work and an EKG since then and everything was fine. I still like the idea of using a HR monitor, but I eventually ditched mine to focus on perceived intensity. I don't think the traditional "zones" necessarily apply to us. Plus, as someone else mentioned, the calorie count is way off for us high HR folks.

0831227

CricketClover wrote: »

My cardiologist and my trainer have assured me that it really is ok for it to get high as long as it drops fairly quickly at rest or lower intensity level.

While I will clearly go see a professional to sort this out, I am also like you on this one, my HR drops really quickly after I start cooling down (from 170 to 150 in around 30seconds and 136 after 1min) and I also catch my breath completely during that time...but my face is RED like a lobster for +45 mins afterwards, hehe.

0831227

Thank you everybody for sharing your advices/experience. I am currently away to Mauritius for around 6 months, will see a specialist about that when I am back to Canada, for now I think I will ''go with the flow'' since no other worrying symptoms are showing up and HR is also quickly dropping.

On the other hand, I am totally heartbroken to learn that the calorie count is way off. (seemed too easy)

AnnPT77

feetjustgo wrote: »

I'm in my late twenties and my HR also shoots up while exercising (similar to what you've reported, but I go even higher when running). It really freaked me out when I first started using a HR monitor, especially since it seemed impossible to work out in the "right" range. I got the same advice that others have shared--not to worry about it unless other troubling symptoms popped up. My doctor at the time didn't even order any testing, although I've done full blood work and an EKG since then and everything was fine. I still like the idea of using a HR monitor, but I eventually ditched mine to focus on perceived intensity. I don't think the traditional "zones" necessarily apply to us. Plus, as someone else mentioned, the calorie count is way off for us high HR folks.

If one knows one's actual (tested) max heart rate and resting heart rate, and uses those to calculate training ranges, the normal way of calculating ranges ought to work for training purposes at least as well as RPE. Better, maybe, if the HRM uses VO2max estimates.

I don't know whether (given a HR monitor that lets you control enough variables) the calorie level would be as accurate as it is for more typical HR folks, or not . . . although I ate back pretty much all my HRM calories while losing successfully at a predictable rate, and my HR max is around 20 beats above several standard estimates (220-age and others). (This was with a HRM that uses actual resting/max rates, not just age-predicted.) Just n=1, though.

I'm no expert, though - if anyone is, I hope they'll speak up.

puttputt24

220-age is easy standard for finding out what your max HR should be around. So that would be 195. Approaching that just means you are working at a difficult intensity.

Is there a specific reason why you want your HR to be at 160??

joyoakey

I'm 68, have been running and exercising for decades and also run an above average HR when exercising. My resting is mid-60's. But when I'm on a stationary bike doing "hills", I'm comfortable with 120 on the flat and on a hill feel more SOB for the interval and HR high 140's. I need the interval training for races and I recover quickly.

ninerbuff

How are you getting your HR readings? If it's from the machine, then ditch it. Machines aren't calibrated at all unless the displays get replaced or repaired.
Rule of thumb. If you can breathe reasonably while doing cardio and have had no heart issues or health issues, then just do it at that level. Gasping for air (unless you're doing HIIT) would be too high of an intensity for you.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

scorpio516

0831227 wrote: »

Now I know that it is supposed to be way too high for an HR, and that for my age I am supposed to keep it between 155-165

Says who?
My HR is around the same as yours and I'm taller, heavier, and older.

BeeerRunner

The whole heart rate range for your age and gender is by no means an absolute. Females typically have a higher heart rate to begin with. I have a similar situation. My heart rate average on an easy run is in the mid 150s. Unless it's hot outside, I probably wouldn't break a sweat until sometime after 3 miles. In a race, my heart rate average is in the high 180s and will reach mid 190s.

I'm an avid runner, female, in my early 40s, and exercise 6 days a week. I've been doing so for over a year. Last summer I had a physical which included an EKG. It was abnormal, showing what someone in the middle of a heart attack. I obviously wasn't having a heart attack so i was referred to a cardiologist. The cardiologist did their own, which again showed the same thing. They repositioned the electrodes and it came out different enough that the doctor determined that my irregular EKG was because athletes who are very fit often have these abnormalities too.

Now, that was done while resting and probably has nothing to do with your situation, but I am a healthy person who has been cleared by a cardiologist who has a heart rates that don't fall into those standard charts.

If you are concerned, i would definitely see a doctor, but just because you have a high heart rate when exercising doesn't mean you necessarily have a serious heart condition.

Azdak

0831227 wrote: »

Thank you everybody for sharing your advices/experience. I am currently away to Mauritius for around 6 months

OK, my life sucks.

Azdak

AnnPT77 wrote: »

feetjustgo wrote: »

I'm in my late twenties and my HR also shoots up while exercising (similar to what you've reported, but I go even higher when running). It really freaked me out when I first started using a HR monitor, especially since it seemed impossible to work out in the "right" range. I got the same advice that others have shared--not to worry about it unless other troubling symptoms popped up. My doctor at the time didn't even order any testing, although I've done full blood work and an EKG since then and everything was fine. I still like the idea of using a HR monitor, but I eventually ditched mine to focus on perceived intensity. I don't think the traditional "zones" necessarily apply to us. Plus, as someone else mentioned, the calorie count is way off for us high HR folks.

If one knows one's actual (tested) max heart rate and resting heart rate, and uses those to calculate training ranges, the normal way of calculating ranges ought to work for training purposes at least as well as RPE. Better, maybe, if the HRM uses VO2max estimates.

I don't know whether (given a HR monitor that lets you control enough variables) the calorie level would be as accurate as it is for more typical HR folks, or not . . . although I ate back pretty much all my HRM calories while losing successfully at a predictable rate, and my HR max is around 20 beats above several standard estimates (220-age and others). (This was with a HRM that uses actual resting/max rates, not just age-predicted.) Just n=1, though.

I'm no expert, though - if anyone is, I hope they'll speak up.

If you had an HRM that allowed manual entry of HRmax and HRrest, then yes, it should calculate appropriate training zones and calorie count accuracy would be improved.

Azdak

BeeerRunner wrote: »

The whole heart rate range for your age and gender is by no means an absolute. Females typically have a higher heart rate to begin with. I have a similar situation. My heart rate average on an easy run is in the mid 150s. Unless it's hot outside, I probably wouldn't break a sweat until sometime after 3 miles. In a race, my heart rate average is in the high 180s and will reach mid 190s.

I'm an avid runner, female, in my early 40s, and exercise 6 days a week. I've been doing so for over a year. Last summer I had a physical which included an EKG. It was abnormal, showing what someone in the middle of a heart attack. I obviously wasn't having a heart attack so i was referred to a cardiologist. The cardiologist did their own, which again showed the same thing. They repositioned the electrodes and it came out different enough that the doctor determined that my irregular EKG was because athletes who are very fit often have these abnormalities too.

Now, that was done while resting and probably has nothing to do with your situation, but I am a healthy person who has been cleared by a cardiologist who has a heart rates that don't fall into those standard charts.

If you are concerned, i would definitely see a doctor, but just because you have a high heart rate when exercising doesn't mean you necessarily have a serious heart condition.

The flipped t waves are not uncommon with endurance athletes.

I have the same issue. Because of that I keep copies of my ECG from when I was 30 to show when necessary. I was scheduled for a (dental, not penile) implant a few years ago. Because I am old and was going to be under sedation, they required an ECG. I got a frantic call the day before the surgery that they needed to postpone until I had a stress test because it was abnormal. So I ran over to the office with my ECG and everything was fine.

BeeerRunner

Azdak wrote: »

BeeerRunner wrote: »

The whole heart rate range for your age and gender is by no means an absolute. Females typically have a higher heart rate to begin with. I have a similar situation. My heart rate average on an easy run is in the mid 150s. Unless it's hot outside, I probably wouldn't break a sweat until sometime after 3 miles. In a race, my heart rate average is in the high 180s and will reach mid 190s.

I'm an avid runner, female, in my early 40s, and exercise 6 days a week. I've been doing so for over a year. Last summer I had a physical which included an EKG. It was abnormal, showing what someone in the middle of a heart attack. I obviously wasn't having a heart attack so i was referred to a cardiologist. The cardiologist did their own, which again showed the same thing. They repositioned the electrodes and it came out different enough that the doctor determined that my irregular EKG was because athletes who are very fit often have these abnormalities too.

Now, that was done while resting and probably has nothing to do with your situation, but I am a healthy person who has been cleared by a cardiologist who has a heart rates that don't fall into those standard charts.

If you are concerned, i would definitely see a doctor, but just because you have a high heart rate when exercising doesn't mean you necessarily have a serious heart condition.

The flipped t waves are not uncommon with endurance athletes.

I have the same issue. Because of that I keep copies of my ECG from when I was 30 to show when necessary. I was scheduled for a (dental, not penile) implant a few years ago. Because I am old and was going to be under sedation, they required an ECG. I got a frantic call the day before the surgery that they needed to postpone until I had a stress test because it was abnormal. So I ran over to the office with my ECG and everything was fine.

@Azdak omg...you cracked me up clarifying the implant type!! Lol!

Yeah, I went to work in Afghanistan for a few weeks in August/Sept. Thank goodness I already had been to the cardiologist and could get a note because they did an ECG and of course it was out of whack. Otherwise, I probably couldn't have gone. It sounds weird, but there aren't many chances to go over to Afghanistan for such a short duration and I really wanted to go. I was on base the entire time, but they had an area with soccer field, basketball court, etc... with a track around it all. It was cool that I got to run over there.

MeanderingMammal

BeeerRunner wrote: »

It sounds weird, but there aren't many chances to go over to Afghanistan for such a short duration and I really wanted to go. I was on base the entire time, but they had an area with soccer field, basketball court, etc... with a track around it all. It was cool that I got to run over there.

Lucky. The running route in my location was less than a kilometre, so it got very dull, but at least it meant there wasn't far to go when we got IDFd.

When I got the opportunity to go into Badakhshan and Nuristan it was stunning.

MeanderingMammal

0831227 wrote: »

Whether I am on the elliptical, the treadmill or on the bike, my HR is between 170-175 for light excercise (can talk with someone without being out of breath) and a whopping 180-185 when I am too out of breath to maintain a discussion but well enough to keep the pace for 25-30 mins without feeling dizzy or having trouble keeping up or breathing.

I wouldn't see those figures as particularly outlandish, certainly not worth worrying about as you're not noticing any other symptoms.

The 220-age aspect is meaningless for most practical purposes.

Since you're talking about a total range of 15bpm you're in the noise. At 20 years older than you I'll comfortably sustain 175bpm for well over an hour, 185 is something I can hold for about 30-40 minutes. Much beyond that and I'm getting into my anaerobic range so unable to sustain for long at all. At your age you should do better, although that'll take time before you've established an aerobic base.

dutchandkiwi

Morgaen73 wrote: »

I have the opposite problem. I suffer from Sinus Bradycardia (abnormally slow HR), The highest I can push my HR to is 165 and then I feel like I'm dying lol My resting HR is between 41-48bpm.

Go see a cardiologist. Your heart is not something you mess with.

My resting is a little higher but I am in a similar boat. Before I started to intensify my workouts I had my heart checked out and to get a baseline. Took a lot of concern and potential anxiety away. I know now that my heart is fine and all I have to worry about are my irritable lungs and allergy

0831227

puttputt24 wrote: »

220-age is easy standard for finding out what your max HR should be around. So that would be 195. Approaching that just means you are working at a difficult intensity.

Is there a specific reason why you want your HR to be at 160??

Hi, thank you for replying. No reason at all actually, it just that some people have shared their worries concerning my higher HR saying that my training zone ''should'' be around that, however it is not how I ''feel it in my body''? I know this is very vague for an explanation, I was curious to see if other people were comfortable working out cardio for 40-50mins at 180-185 like me or if it was indeed worrying.

0831227

ninerbuff wrote: »

Rule of thumb. If you can breathe reasonably while doing cardio and have had no heart issues or health issues, then just do it at that level. Gasping for air (unless you're doing HIIT) would be too high of an intensity for you.

Thank you for your reply, I usually get it on the machines, but I started using the monitors of the gym's trainers when I noticed that the numbers were high and I got ''approximatively +/- 5'' on all monitors.

You said that gasping for air was too much unless you are doing HIIT, I am currently starting to try this technique, I have 50 seconds intervals on the treadmill going from 3.7miles/h to 6.5 miles/h for 15 to 20 minutes. Would you consider it an HIIT training? Usually I do it after 25 elliptical or running with no gradient at around 5 miles/h.