HR too high when working out

Actually, now that I think about it I take a generic antihistamine with added Sudafed to help with some sinus issues. That might be part of the problem.

There you go! I started a new medication yesterday and I almost passed out during my work out because it had my heart beating so fast. Today, I waited until I was done working out to take it and didn't have that problem. Maybe try taking it at a different time and see if that helps.

My resting heart rate is about 55, which is quite healthy... but when I'm doing an intense cardio session (like this morning) my heart rate topped out at 187.

I didn't die, in fact..... I like the feeling.

The majority of time you should run in the aerobic zone. If you are tired you can run in the fat burn zone without stressing the body too much. Over time, the paces in these zones will get faster. You don't really need to run in the upper zone at all unless you are training to race, but if you want to it shouldn't be more than about once a week.

The more running you can do without injury the faster and higher your fitness will build. By running easier you better target the aerobic system for development and can allow yourself to run more since it is less stressful on the legs and less likely to lead to overuse injury. Additionally, if you are using running to lose weight, more running equals more calories burned.

I have the exact same problem and I went to my Dr. about it. He said as long as I was not short of breath or light headed it was fine. I do try to slow down when running and doing the elliptical 1-2 times a week to get into the fat burning zone of my heart rate. But at comfortable running rate my heart rate will start at 130s and end up at 169 - 172 during the majority of my run.

Just to be safe I would recommend a check-up with your doctor if you haven't done so recently. It would be good to rule out any red flags like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, RHR, family history, chest pains? etc. After that clearance, I would not worry about it too much. Keep in mind that your heart rate monitor is averaging things and 'on average' your heart rate may be fine (220-your age is a good max to stay under). Sometimes hr monitors pick up false signals in the gym. More importantly, don't let your hr monitor scare you into not exercising! If you held a constant 179 rate for even a few seconds you would be on the floor gasping for breath. That is an all out 50 yard dash/shovel 3 tons of snow in 30 minutes rate for most people.

Hmm.. I'm 27 so ideally speaking my max would be around 193. I just got my HRM this week and held a constant 183-185 whenever I did my running portion of my 5K training but I wasn't gasping for breath either. It makes me wonder if there's a more accurate way to test an individual's HR ranges.. suggestions? Do fitness tests help figure this type of info out?

I think age, gender and fitness levels all drive what ideal heart rates should be. The 220-age is a rough measure but better than nothing. I should have said on the above "if it were me" LOL. At cruising speed on a long run my HR is usually about 140-150 with occasional blips up to 163 (probably due to hills). Those numbers may appear low but considering I'm 50 that 163 number is fairly close to my suggested max. So, if I shot up to 179 that would be a concern for me and I would probably really feel it. Then, if I shot up to 183-185 like you I'd probably end up at the hospital.

A good system behind a HR monitor (ex; Polar, Timex, Garmin) can show you how you are progressing over time and hopefully calculates this for you. There are various metrics out there like VO2 max or Lactate Threshold and as they change you can see how your cardiovascular system is increasing in efficiency. Then, you can see on paper that your body is 'loving you back' for being good to it. I would forget about this zone stuff. I think its a gimmick at best. At a marathon, there's not one person there that is worried about what zone they are in.

Are they sudden spikes like:

130.. 130.. 130... 179!!! 130, 130 130 130 130 130 130 179! 130 130 130...

Or is it more like

130 130 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 170 179 179 179 179 179 179....

It's like 130 140 145 150 160 175 179 (and then me freaking out and slowing down)

So I don't think it's the heart rate monitor being defective (it does have a chest strap, it's the polar ft40) or a medial condition, so much as a representation of the fact that I'm actively picking up the pace to burn more calories. I'm not overweight (5'9, 138 or so), but I am probably pretty out of shape.

But it sounds like maybe 179 isn't terrible? I was reading some other forums and they all seemed to suggest that approaching 180 is too high and would be bad for me.

My guess is that the "bad for you" stems from the "Oh God! You're working out in the aerobic zone and not the fat burning zone" crowd.

Just to be safe I would recommend a check-up with your doctor if you haven't done so recently. It would be good to rule out any red flags like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, RHR, family history, chest pains? etc. After that clearance, I would not worry about it too much. Keep in mind that your heart rate monitor is averaging things and 'on average' your heart rate may be fine (220-your age is a good max to stay under). Sometimes hr monitors pick up false signals in the gym. More importantly, don't let your hr monitor scare you into not exercising! If you held a constant 179 rate for even a few seconds you would be on the floor gasping for breath. That is an all out 50 yard dash/shovel 3 tons of snow in 30 minutes rate for most people.

Hmm.. I'm 27 so ideally speaking my max would be around 193. I just got my HRM this week and held a constant 183-185 whenever I did my running portion of my 5K training but I wasn't gasping for breath either. It makes me wonder if there's a more accurate way to test an individual's HR ranges.. suggestions? Do fitness tests help figure this type of info out?

Unless you go to a performance laboratory of some type, you are pretty much on your own when it comes to that type of testing. A medical stress test would not be useful--neither the docs nor the techs know how to do max testing anymore and the protocols they use aren't really suitable for that type of testing.

Potential problems with "do it yourself" max testing (i.e. field tests): there is a risk involved in pushing yourself to that level; depending on age, medical Hx, etc, that risk may be small, but it is there. The biggest problem is that if you are not used to pushing yourself to a max effort, it is likely you will stop before you reach that point. So you end up with a submax result anyway.

If you really want to fine tune your settings, I would do a progressive program of trying some higher intensities, and monitor both HR and perceived exertion. If you reach levels that are difficult to sustain for even 60 sec, then the heart rate at that level will be pretty close to your upper limit. Not sure you need to have it any closer.

almost totally forgot the other reason for what might appear to be high HR.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816391-hrm-warning-in-dry-winter-months

http://www.heart.com/heart-rate-chart.html

Age-predicted maximum heart rate formula:

WOMEN: 226 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

MEN: 220 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

I know it's an average but that means Lance Armstrong and I have the same MHR.

Wanna bet?

http://www.heart.com/heart-rate-chart.html

Age-predicted maximum heart rate formula:

WOMEN: 226 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

MEN: 220 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

I know it's an average but that means Lance Armstrong and I have the same MHR.

Wanna bet?

Yours could be higher.

Fitness level doesn't make it higher. Genetics, and then exercising so it doesn't drop with age as those formula's seem to indicate.

From those formula's, I should be 26 yrs old for my tested HRmax. I my back tells me that ain't so.

And you don't pass out, you just can't go any faster, harder, and after a bit, can't go any longer either as the lactic acid will catch up.

I know. ;-) I was being snarky. LOL.

http://www.heart.com/heart-rate-chart.html

Age-predicted maximum heart rate formula:

WOMEN: 226 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

MEN: 220 - your age = age-adjusted Max HR

I know it's an average but that means Lance Armstrong and I have the same MHR.

Wanna bet?

Yours could be higher.

Fitness level doesn't make it higher. Genetics, and then exercising so it doesn't drop with age as those formula's seem to indicate.

From those formula's, I should be 26 yrs old for my tested HRmax. I my back tells me that ain't so.

And you don't pass out, you just can't go any faster, harder, and after a bit, can't go any longer either as the lactic acid will catch up.

I know. ;-) I was being snarky. LOL.

I knew you were, but several posts above yours was all seriousness a comment that you would pass out if reached HRmax.

So, have you looked up Lance's HRmax to see if you might best it?

I remember reading it was 200. Can't remember where I read it though.

Bump