Resting heart rate

Stumoo

I have a question about RHR, and maybe can make this topic a quick survey!

i) How would you rate your level of aerobic exercise, and how would you rate your aerobic fitness?
ii) What is your RHR?

I ask this question because my RHR seems disproportionately low given how much exercise I do. My answers are:

i) I am active and run 20-30 miles a week, with additional cycling and gym work. This is basically the training level needed for an amateur like me to improve my half marathon time, so there are millions of people who do much more! I have been running for two years. My aerobic fitness is good but by no means spectacular; I am aiming for 1 hr 35 in an upcoming half marathon (I'm a 25 yr old male)
ii) My RHR is 42-44bpm.

Is it good/healthy to have a RHR as low as this?

muddyventures

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/heart-rate-resting-chart.htm

here is a chart

bigd65

I don't know for sure but the other day I read something about rhr and I remember they had a number for normal rhr and it continued to say that a in shape athlete would have a lower rhr. I wish I could remember where I read that article, but from what you are saying I would say it sounds like your in pretty good shape

fastbelly

It is great to have such RHR. While I was training for half marathon my RHR was consistently under 52bpm's and I'm over 230 lbs. This was measured by a doctor because I didn't believe my own blood pressure machine.

The doctor all he said was congratulations on being in such good shape and there's nothing to worry about.

boelyn

I'm not an expert, but I thought the lower your RHR the better, it surely means your heart is not having to work hard to keep your blood pumping etc x

UpEarly

Most elite athletes have very low resting heart rates. I think Lance Armstrong's RHR (at his peak) was 32-34 beats per minute. Am I to understand that you think it would be good for yours to be higher?

crb1988

It seems reasonable to me. It sounds like you are pretty active, so your RHR seems to be in the athletic range.

I walk 15-25 miles per week at 4-5 mph, and my RHR is around 55.

99clmsntgr

Keep in mind, you're likely eating healthier and have a better overall fitness level.

I also currently run in the 20 mile range, in the couple weeks leading into my half-marathon last month (my first!) I was in the 25-27 mile range. I've got pretty good control over calories, fats and sodium (except today, silly corned beef (slainte!)). Once a week I do a cross-fit boot camp and I've sprinkled some strength training into my week as well. I'd rate my aerobic fitness as pretty good and I'm getting better with strength and muscular fitness.

That said, my resting heart rate is also typically in the mid-to-upper 40's. This has been measured by the blood pressure monitor we have at home, and by EKG at the doctor's office. The "average" human's resting heart rate, according to my doctor, is around 70, he was pretty impressed but not surprised given my level of activity.

At his peak of winning eleventy consecutive Tour de France's, Lance Armstrong's resting heart rate was measured in the mid-30's. Wow.

TinkrBelz

1. I feel my aerobic fitness is great. I do high impact aerobics 8x/week.
2. RHR is 65 I am a 41 year old female

I think you sound fine my teenage son and 43 yr old husband RHR is in the 40s

frazzle29

Normal heart rate is 60-100bpm. But its normal for good athletes to have a heart rate down to 40bpm because their heart doesn't need to work as hard. Granted I'm no doctor but I got this info from my EKG class.
If you're worried have it checked out, but I'd say your just good and healthy

drmerc

mine is between 40-45. I dont do much cardio but I lift heavy

TheUnwritten

1- Gym 4-5 times a week. Lifting heavy and cardio on off days. I run 2 miles on the treadmill or on the elliptical.
I been doing this routine for about a year.



2- My RHR is 43-45.


I was told by the doctors when I was rushed to the ER for fainting that my heart rate was extremely low. I told them I exercise a lot. I got a EKG and the results where normal. I cant really say if its healthy or not since I have to see the doc again for more testing even though the results where good.

marynificent

I am the anomaly. My RHR (I've worn a monitor to sleep before) is 80. Currently, I run about 15 miles a week and lift HEAVY weights 90-120 mins a day six days a week. I can sustain a heart rate over 190+ while running 7.5 mph for 10+ mins and can run uphill at 6mph with a heart rate of 170 and maintain a conversation. I think the 220-age formulas are flawed. I am 31, female with blood pressure on the low end of avg and perfect cholesterol. I regularly run 10ks, have completed a half marathon and am training for a full marathon starting this summer.

Stumoo

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/heart-rate-resting-chart.htm

here is a chart

Heh interesting, apparently I'm better than 'athlete'! I guess that's why I was slightly concerned, but on the whole the consensus seems to be that it's a very good thing. I never really paid attention to it before I started training, but I am probably predisposed to a low RHR and have just lowered it further.

Another thing I've noticed is that if I try and sleep on my left side I'm kept awake because I can feel my heart beating; I feel it very easily if I press gently between the ribs on my left side. Just another indication of a high stroke volume, I guess.

scottb81

I run around 60 to 80 miles per week normally and my RHR is 40. When I was sedentary and smoking and drinking a lot it was in the mid 60s.

Stumoo

I was told by the doctors when I was rushed to the ER for fainting that my heart rate was extremely low. I told them I exercise a lot. I got a EKG and the results where normal. I cant really say if its healthy or not since I have to see the doc again for more testing even though the results where good.

Ah yes fainting; I almost fainted when I got injured on the cricket field (got hit on the leg by the ball; I think it was the shock of seeing my leg swell so suddenly! All ok in the end of course). I've also felt faint on 2 of the 5 occasions I've given blood. I understand that having a low RHR can make you more susceptible to feeling faint, but it's a bit of a conundrum for me since my blood pressure is actually a touch high.

Oh, and giving blood. I wish they mentioned somewhere in the reams of leaflets they give you that it ruins your ability to do high level aerobic activity for days, if not weeks! I find myself limited to easy/moderate aerobic activity for at least 2 weeks after giving blood.