Your maximum heart rate if you are over 60?

amflautist

I will be 73 this week. If I estimate my max HR using the men's formula, 220-age, my max = 147. If I estimate my max HR using the new women's formula, 208-0.88*age, I get 144. I wear a HR monitor when I exercise, so I know my max is about 157. I have even had it rise into the 160s.

If I were to use the "zone" method to set up a HR zone for my exercise sessions, i.e. keep my HR between .65*max and .85*max, I would be exercising with a HR between 95 - 125. That's too low. My body wants to be at 110 - 140 for a medium to good workout.

Just wondering, other seniors, is the calculation too low for you also? How does your measured HR compare with the supposed norm? Is the medical community underestimating seniors' capabilities?

cheripugh1

Here is a link, and you can google more... I trust them and although I am not 70+ I am a open heart surgery survivor and I have done my homework on who to trust when it comes to my heart! Some people are able to be more active than others, usually because they have been fit and active for years and years, so also do not have any other health issues often associated with natural aging. I guess if in doubt you should talk to your Dr. I have a Heart Dr. and she totally agrees with my numbers.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/Target-Heart-Rates_UCM_434341_Article.jsp#

LiftHeavyWeights

I'm 60 & yes, the capabilities of older people are underestimated. I'm into strength training and can get into the 170s sometimes. Mostly, though it is 150-160s. I use a Polar FT80 HRM which has a built in trainer and it tells me how much time to spend in each HR category.

The book Younger next year, is very interesting and talks about this. I listened to it as an audiobook, which I got from my library. It was entertaining and informative. The guy who believes in lots of exercise, talks about how the medical people thought his stats were wrong because they didn't fit the 'norms.'

Good for you, keeping up your exercise. I intend to keep going too. You are an inspiration.

jim180155

Amflautist, you can still use the zone method, but rather than using the general formula, use your known max heart rate.

amflautist

Here is a link, and you can google more... I trust them and although I am not 70+ I am a open heart surgery survivor and I have done my homework on who to trust when it comes to my heart! Some people are able to be more active than others, usually because they have been fit and active for years and years, so also do not have any other health issues often associated with natural aging. I guess if in doubt you should talk to your Dr. I have a Heart Dr. and she totally agrees with my numbers.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/Target-Heart-Rates_UCM_434341_Article.jsp#

Thank you for the link. I read the article. It uses the 220-age to calculate maximum HR, then tells me to slowly build up my exercise until I am working at 85% of max.

I'm trying to point out that those numbers are too low for this 73 yr old.

Edit : Thank you for your thoughtful assistance. I read your story. You indeed are a miracle! Bless you. And may you keep your heart ticking for many decades to come!

amflautist

I'm 60 & yes, the capabilities of older people are underestimated. I'm into strength training and can get into the 170s sometimes. Mostly, though it is 150-160s. I use a Polar FT80 HRM which has a built in trainer and it tells me how much time to spend in each HR category.

The book Younger next year, is very interesting and talks about this. I listened to it as an audiobook, which I got from my library. It was entertaining and informative. The guy who believes in lots of exercise, talks about how the medical people thought his stats were wrong because they didn't fit the 'norms.'

Younger Next Year - looks like an exciting book! Comes in guy versions and girl versions. So I need to decide: guy version or girl version? Guy version or girl version? It's written by 2 guys. They'll probably dumb down the advice for women. That's been my experience for 70+ years, so I'm going for the guy version!

Thank you for the recommendation.

loubidy

I would just go by what feels right. I'm sure at 73 you know how you should feel and if your relatively fit you've probably got a good heart, you've been in your body long enough to know your limits and when something feels too much.

Personally that's how I would judge it.

BrianSharpe

If you really want to nail it down you should get a stress test done but there are also a couple "do it yourself" methods that are reasonably reliable, eg this one from Polar

http://www.polar.com/en/training_with_polar/training_articles/maximize_performance/running/how_to_determine_your_maximum_heart_rate_for_running

The old 220-your age has been pretty much discredited, especially when it comes to people who have been exercising for many years or those of us who have been around the block a few more times (I'm still a bit shy of 60 but hope I'm still running well into my '70s and beyond)