Heart Pounding Long after I Finish my Run

BlueFisherKing

My heart slows down from the more intense part of the run, but for up to an hour after I finish I can still feel it pounding in my chest. I do a 5 minute cool down walk and stretch, but still it seems like my heart rate is elevated...

Is this bad? Good? Normal?

autumnblade75

I'm gonna say - not normal and probably not good, but I have no idea how bad. Is it possible that you're just more aware of your normal heartbeat after a run? How high of a heart rate are we talking here? And what's your heart rate like on a day you don't run?

xenu01

You should definitely see your doctor ASAP! It is possible you have an undiagnosed health condition that your doctor will be able to assist you with.

AngelaRoberta

That is really not typical of a run. I believe it could be an indication you might be working at too high of a level for you, but I suggest you talk to your doctor to be sure. It's possible you have an undiagnosed condition.

I have had that happen once- it was when I first started running. I hadn't be active for years and ran a 5k on a whim- without training for it. When I finished, I felt like I needed to puke and my heart was still racing 20 minutes later. But now that I train properly, stretch, warm up, cool down, ect., I don't have that. Now, my heart is usually slowed to normal by the time I'm done with my cool down.

autumnblade75

If you don't think it's alarming enough to see your doctor for, yet - you could always try hydrating a little? I know hydration affects blood pressure, and I find it plausible that heart rate would be affected also. Talking to a doctor is probably not a horrible idea, either. I'd tell you not to take advice from random strangers on the internet, but it seems kind of ironic.