Healthy Heart Rate for Exercise

MrsBrosco
MrsBrosco Posts: 295
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
Last night was my first night on the treadmil in a LONG time. I decided after watching what some of my MFPal's were burning doing running/walking intervals I would try it. When I would run my heart rate was getting up to almost 200 beats per minute. It didn't make me very uncomfortable but I worry because I had heart surgery 11 years ago for palapetations.
I looked into it a bit and it says that the target heart rate I should work at is between 120-160. I can accuire that just by walking. I weigh 163lbs and am 5'6, I have lost almost 70lbs.

My questions is, do I need to work up to running? Wait until my body gets accustomed to exercise again and my heart adjusts... I really enjoy the way I feel when I run, I just dont want to push it. What would my buddies recommend I do??

Thanks guys and gals!

Replies

  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
    I'm not an expert by any means, but I've been running fairly consistantly for three years and my HR usually sticks around 160 at an easy jog, but if I do anything other than a breezy jog it jumps and sticks at around 180. I'd talk to your doctor regarding the surgery, but typically you want to do cardio training at a level that still allows you to talk, but not sing. If you can't hold a conversation with relative ease, you might need to step it back a bit.
  • eillamarie
    eillamarie Posts: 862 Member
    When I run and use the stepper my heart rate is frequently hovering around 200 bpm. But for me, that's normal. When I'm out of shape my heart rate goes sky high but I can tolerate it because I use to be a highly competitive swimmer. Even when I swam my heart rate would go above 30 for 10 seconds & I wouldn't worry. To each their own!
  • Joaninha777
    Joaninha777 Posts: 52
    This just happened to me and doctor said it's fine, as long as your heart does not drop to the 40's which is very low! Its because you are pushing your heart to work at it's max and you haven't in a long time. It happened to me once and then the next day I did the same work out really pushing myself and it was fine, now it's between 150-170, mostly 162. But you should still consult your doctor and get a nice physical which is also what I did and I got the green light to go ahead.
  • oneIT
    oneIT Posts: 388 Member
    I always thought if you could hold a conversation you were not working hard enough.
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    your max HR is 220-age. You should NOT stay at that rate or above for an extended period. Start with the walking to get your cardio strength up and then build in the running as you become more comfortable. Your heart will become accustom to the increased blood flow and your heart rate will not increase as quickly. This is why as you get into better shape you have to work WAY harder to keep your HR up. :)

    Good luck....
  • MrsBrosco
    MrsBrosco Posts: 295
    your max HR is 220-age. You should NOT stay at that rate or above for an extended period. Start with the walking to get your cardio strength up and then build in the running as you become more comfortable. Your heart will become accustom to the increased blood flow and your heart rate will not increase as quickly. This is why as you get into better shape you have to work WAY harder to keep your HR up. :)

    Good luck....

    THis is what I had read last night when I was doing my research. Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it :)
  • MrsBrosco
    MrsBrosco Posts: 295
    I always thought if you could hold a conversation you were not working hard enough.

    This was my thought too!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories