heart rate questions

AnnieJ0

does anyone know what is considered a "normal" heart rate range? how high should you get your heart rate during a cardio workout for maximum weight loss? also, if my heart rate is really low, should i expect to have a lower high heart rate than most people? any guidance would be appreciated )

BigG1978

I don't think there is such a thing as a 'normal' heart rate as everyone is built differently and their heart rates will vary.

The most realistic way of establishing your resting heart rate and maximum rate is by investing in a heart rate monitor and completing some tests to establish the resting and max which then gives you a base from which to work.

From there you will be able to see at what % your heart is working at and adjust your workouts accordingly - for example you would not want to be working out at just 50% of your maximum rate all the time and likewise at 90% (although this is seriously difficult unless you are an athlete!). For maximum fat burning you should be within 60% to 70% but for effective loss HIIT training will take you right up to the 90% mark and then back down to around 60% so it depends on what type of workout you are wanting to do and what results you want to get.

There are loads of resources on the web regarding the Heart Rate Zones that are useful and I'm sure there are also some on MFP.

So, in summary, invest in a HRM and use the science to aide your route to fitness and weight loss - good luck.

AnnieJ0

thanks for taking the time to respond. i am going to be getting a heart rate monitor as soon as my tuition reimbursement comes back ) i have had to go to the dr a lot lately in prep for surgery & my resting heart rate at the dr office has been between 41-45. when i was in the er earlier this week it was up 47-50 & the er docs thought it was low for the amount of blood loss i had. i had to explain that my heart rate is normally on the lower side-they called my dr to confirm.

dlegros

A medically normal heart rate is 60-80 beats per minute.

However, by definition, at least 10% of the population will fall outside of this range.

Level of fitness can have a dramatic effect on resting heart rate, with some elite athletes sitting around the 40bpm mark.

From a purely technical standpoint - your heart rate is "slow" a condition known as bradycardia.

So long as your doctor has ruled out any serious causes for this (conduction abnormalities, electrolyte/hormone imbalances) and you are not getting symptoms from it (dizziness, faints, light-headedness, blackouts, shortness of breath or chest pains) then you simply have a normally "slow" heart rate and it is your "normal"

Please note: all information is provided your reference only and in the absence of physical examination and appropriate investigation should not be considered diagnostic or binding.

Markguns

does anyone know what is considered a "normal" heart rate range? how high should you get your heart rate during a cardio workout for maximum weight loss? also, if my heart rate is really low, should i expect to have a lower high heart rate than most people? any guidance would be appreciated )

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute.

http://www.practicefusion.com/research/olympics/ --> scroll down for a graph.

Useful Fitness Calculators:
http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx

AnnieJ0

thanks. i am medically healthy. i have lost about 60lbs & still have about 40 to go. i guess my normal is going to be low. i just kinda got freaked out when the er drs were so concerned.