If your heart rate is over 180 during a workout, is that bad

JaimeNay
JaimeNay Posts: 80 Member
edited September 23 in Fitness and Exercise
My resting heart rate is around 64, but when I do some of my workouts, it gets up to 186 or higher. The highest being 198. I feel like I'm about to die sometimes, so I'll slow it down a bit. Is that pushing myself to hard??

Does anyone know what your heart rate should stay around during a vigrous workout?

Replies

  • cflorkie
    cflorkie Posts: 92 Member
    Mine I have a very hard time keeping under 175. if you're 20-30 it shouldn't be higher than 160-165 in a workout. 200 is cardiac arrest, so you need to be careful and slow down. Start by going slower and building endurance, that's what I had to do.
  • maz123
    maz123 Posts: 63
    Bump
  • polo571
    polo571 Posts: 708 Member
    Check out HIIT training you are fine
  • leslielove
    leslielove Posts: 251 Member
    200 is definitely not cardiac arrest. You can get into the 270s before you'll actually start to die but no one can sustain a heart rate that high for any period of time without having a medical condition that causes your heart to freak out like that.

    I'd not sustain much over the low 180s for any long period of time though, just for safety's sake.
  • funkyspunky871
    funkyspunky871 Posts: 1,675 Member
    During a "vigorous workout," I'm guessing that it'd be normal to be in the 180's and 190's. My idea of a vigorous workout though is in the 170's and 180's, but most of the time in the upper 160's. I think 198 is too high, but occasionally, if I'm working hard enough, my heart rate gets up there too. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, I immediately slow it down. If you feel like you're dying, it's too much!
  • jennyfair24
    jennyfair24 Posts: 273 Member
    "Your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) starts out at 220 beats per minute and falls by one beat each year. Therefore, you can calculate your Maximum Heart Rate by deducting your age from 220. So a good estimate of Maximum Heart Rate for a 40 year old is 180 (220-40 (age)) and for a 20 year old is 200 (200-20)."
    Found this info at: http://www.calculatenow.biz/sport/heart.php
  • JaimeNay
    JaimeNay Posts: 80 Member
    Wow..cardiac arrest at 200. Guess I better bring it down a notch. I'll be 33 in March, so probably around 165-170 would be ok? Thanks for the info.
  • schobert101
    schobert101 Posts: 218 Member
    It depends on what YOUR maxium heart rate is and without knowing that most of the formulas are useless. A person's maximum is genetically determined, NOT a matter of fitness and not related to your resting heart rate. A good gauge is to work at a level that talking is somewhat difficult but not impossible, or if you know your maxium heart rate about 70-85% of your maxiimum. You should be able to maintain that heart rate for a period of time. You cannot use absolute numbers to say what is 'good' or 'bad'. Some people have maxiums well above 200 and they may be fine so to make a blanket statement that above 200 is cardiac arrest is ludicrous. Usually your body will tell you if you are too high as you can't keep up the workout for a prolonged period of time (assuming no underlying heart disease of course). I see so many people on these boards focusing on absolute numbers or percentages without understanding the physiology behind heart rate monitoring. I would recommend getting a book and studying up on it for anyone to really use heart rate monitoring correctly.
  • cflorkie
    cflorkie Posts: 92 Member
    Now that I am googling, it looks like I am wrong, and that's outdated info. However, if your heart is up that high, it's not good. I do see alot of links to thyroid problems, so maybe it wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor?

    I do know that the guidelines for heartrates do say to keep it below 170.
  • JaimeNay
    JaimeNay Posts: 80 Member
    Ok, just read the next post. So my heart rate according to that website should be around 187 if I calculated right. That sounds about right for me then. Thanks
  • jillMoose
    jillMoose Posts: 45 Member
    cardiac arrest cannot be 200! i think jennyfair is right -- 220-age = max heart rate. and i dont think you can substitute the word max for comfortable! thats hardwork!
  • briteyes
    briteyes Posts: 435 Member
    if cardiac arrest is at 200, i guess i should be dead. when i run, my hr gets up to about 213 sporadically when I'm pushing it hard up a hill... of course i don't keep it there, but i really wouldn't even had known this if i didn't decide one day to run w/ a HRM on.

    i think everyone's max HR is going to be different and depends on a lot of different factors, not just your age! i would say it also depends on your overall health as well. i gage whether i should push harder or less on how I'm feeling during a workout. you do get to know your body and you can figure out what is good and not so good.
  • ingeborgv
    ingeborgv Posts: 175 Member
    Though the general maximum heart rate is calculated as mentioned above (220-your age), your actual heart rate is genetically determined and can be as much as +/- 15%, according to a trainer. You should really do a max heart rate test to determine how high yours is; Google it, or ask at your gym if you use one.
  • Cudders
    Cudders Posts: 28
    Your range to work out should be in the range of 60-85% of your maximum heart rate, of the 187 you quoted. So 112 to 159. A good cardio workout would be on the upper end of that.
  • asejohnson
    asejohnson Posts: 2
    Sorry, but anyone who says that your HR should be X or should not be higher than Y doesn't know what they are talking about. Everyone is different. And one's max HR is different for different activities - max HR for swimming is considerably lower than for say running or rowing.

    I've been exercising with a Heart Rate Monitor for over 20 yrs now and I've never seen my HR go above 185 and these days it rarely goes above 160.

    If your max HR for a given activity is 198, which is quite possible, then aim for 70-80% of that for durations of 30-60 mins. That would put you in the range 139-158. You should be able to maintain this level of effort reasonably comfortably. If you're running, another way to gauge your effort is by monitoring your breathing. You should aim to inhale over two steps (L, R) and exhale over two (L, R). Or even 3 steps in and 3 steps out at the start of your runs. If you're puffing and panting more than that then you're pushing too hard and either won't be able to finish the workout or won't be able to do the next one comfortably.

    Hope that helps.

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  • JaimeNay
    JaimeNay Posts: 80 Member
    Schobert101 - thanks for your advice.

    Sflorkie - I've been told I amy have a thyroid problem before (kinda runs in the family). Did it say how a thyroid problems could effect your heart rate?
  • Gary6030
    Gary6030 Posts: 593 Member
    If you are trying to burn fat...from what I've read in the past you want to stay in that 75 - 80% range of your target heart rate. I'm 40 y/o and mine is 165. When I run however at 5.5mph its up around 180 - 190. But each day I run I notice it takes longer to get it to that and it comes down quicker when i stop. I hope that is a sign of better cardiac performance.
  • Echoshill
    Echoshill Posts: 42 Member
    First and foremost, you should always consult your physician prior to starting any workout program. Also, it is important to note that cardiac arrest really is not the proper term to throw in here as related to high heart rate. Tachycardia, which can lead to cardiac arrest, is what we are really discussing here. Clinically this is when the heart exceeds 100bpm.

    Also, there are many types of Tachycardia such as Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia which generally has a rate of 140 to 200 beats per minute. Atrial flutter, in which the atria beat at 240 to 300 beats per minute. Ventricular tachycardia, a very serious arrhythmia initiated in the ventricles, in which the heart rate is usually between 150 and 250.

    ON TO THE QUESTION
    The "general" calculation for a womans max heart rate is typically 226 - your age = age-adjusted maximum heart rate. 220- is typically for men. There are tons of variations on this formula our there but most will get you within 3 or 4 beats of eachother. no use splitting hair.

    It is also possible that as your level of conditioning increases that your MHR may be well above this general formula. For me, I am 39 but my max heart rate is 189. But that sort of information should only be attained with the proper testing under medical/trained supervision.
  • JaimeNay
    JaimeNay Posts: 80 Member
    Asejohnson _ Thanks , that does help. I'm not running, but the workout I am doing is P90x and the one that gets me up that high is the Plyometrics. Its a 60 minute dvd and my heart rate ranges from 170-187 usually. When it gets up to 187, I usually walk around for a minute to bring it down a bit. Is that ok?
  • tuduis
    tuduis Posts: 67
    During a "vigorous workout," I'm guessing that it'd be normal to be in the 180's and 190's. My idea of a vigorous workout though is in the 170's and 180's, but most of the time in the upper 160's. I think 198 is too high, but occasionally, if I'm working hard enough, my heart rate gets up there too. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, I immediately slow it down. If you feel like you're dying, it's too much!

    I'd have to agree with you on that one.
  • leslielove
    leslielove Posts: 251 Member
    First and foremost, you should always consult your physician prior to starting any workout program. Also, it is important to note that cardiac arrest really is not the proper term to throw in here as related to high heart rate. Tachycardia, which can lead to cardiac arrest, is what we are really discussing here. Clinically this is when the heart exceeds 100bpm.

    Also, there are many types of Tachycardia such as Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia which generally has a rate of 140 to 200 beats per minute. Atrial flutter, in which the atria beat at 240 to 300 beats per minute. Ventricular tachycardia, a very serious arrhythmia initiated in the ventricles, in which the heart rate is usually between 150 and 250.

    ON TO THE QUESTION
    The "general" calculation for a womans max heart rate is typically 226 - your age = age-adjusted maximum heart rate. 220- is typically for men. There are tons of variations on this formula our there but most will get you within 3 or 4 beats of eachother. no use splitting hair.

    It is also possible that as your level of conditioning increases that your MHR may be well above this general formula. For me, I am 39 but my max heart rate is 189. But that sort of information should only be attained with the proper testing under medical/trained supervision.


    THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT READ THIS.
  • asejohnson
    asejohnson Posts: 2
    Asejohnson _ Thanks , that does help. I'm not running, but the workout I am doing is P90x and the one that gets me up that high is the Plyometrics. Its a 60 minute dvd and my heart rate ranges from 170-187 usually. When it gets up to 187, I usually walk around for a minute to bring it down a bit. Is that ok?

    That seems to make sense.

    Good luck,

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  • kerriBB37
    kerriBB37 Posts: 967 Member
    Sorry, but anyone who says that your HR should be X or should not be higher than Y doesn't know what they are talking about. Everyone is different. And one's max HR is different for different activities - max HR for swimming is considerably lower than for say running or rowing.

    I've been exercising with a Heart Rate Monitor for over 20 yrs now and I've never seen my HR go above 185 and these days it rarely goes above 160.

    If your max HR for a given activity is 198, which is quite possible, then aim for 70-80% of that for durations of 30-60 mins. That would put you in the range 139-158. You should be able to maintain this level of effort reasonably comfortably. If you're running, another way to gauge your effort is by monitoring your breathing. You should aim to inhale over two steps (L, R) and exhale over two (L, R). Or even 3 steps in and 3 steps out at the start of your runs. If you're puffing and panting more than that then you're pushing too hard and either won't be able to finish the workout or won't be able to do the next one comfortably.

    Hope that helps.

    AD.

    Could not agree more. It is very important to know that you are the only one (and maybe a trainer or doctor) that can find out what is safe and dangerous. 200 = cardiac arrest is absurd. I participated in a 4 hour class that revolved around heart rate monitoring and had a specialist monitor me and my numbers!!! (ME and MY!) I was found to have a max HR or 205 and thus I scheudle my workout around different zones. My resting is around 80. It is GOOD to get there during your workouts, so you should strive to hit it a handful of times. THE most important thing to discover and monitor is how fast your body gets from the Max or another "high HR #" to your recovery! Mine is 136. The faster I get to my active recovery, the "healthier" I am getting. I think it's important for people to be educated about their heart and their zones before trying any fitness program! Hope this helps :)

    It's really good I think to ask for help but always remember to take it with a grain of salt!
  • JaimeNay
    JaimeNay Posts: 80 Member
    Thanks for everyone's imput. I appreciate it and will look further into what my personal HR should be.

    When working out, I feel pretty good around 170-175 but when it gets to 180 + that 's when it's hard, so I'll try slowing in down and not to push my self harder, for this workout is an hour long and I do want to burn the fat. Hopefully my performance endurance level will get better as I get in shape and my numbers will come down from there.
  • andythorn1969
    andythorn1969 Posts: 17
    I think the general opinion here is that people should listen to what their body is telling them during their workout. If you use a heart-rate monitor, in time you get to know the difference between an easy jog and a bum-busting cardio-blast and can learn to set your own levels rather than slavishly following equations.

    Everyone is individual **YES! We're all individuals! - [m.p. quote]** and come in all shapes, sizes and inside leg measurements. If you find yourself having heart palpitations trying to reach an arbitary heart rate then it's going to put you off exercise full stop.

    Relax, go with the flow, enjoy your workout and you'll soon find you fitness levels increasing.

    Boomshanka,

    Andy
  • rbrenne
    rbrenne Posts: 1
    My heart rate is 180 and gets there rather quickly when I run. I run at about a 9 min mile pace and my heart hovers at around 180 the whole time. I have a garmin heart beat monitor. I am training for a half marathon and my colleague at work had a heart attack which prompted me to monitor my heart. I still think that my heart beat is high given that I'm not really running all that fast. I sometimes think I should lose about 20 pounds and maybe I would bring the beats down given that it would be easier to move my body. I ran 10 miles Sunday and my left foot is killing me when I wake up but gets better as the day goes on. Anyways, I'm not sure what is too high. I have a Dr's appointment on Monday and i will ask her.
  • MoLouw
    MoLouw Posts: 5
    It depends on your levels of health and fitness, and also what type of exercise you are doing. I can only get my maximum heart rates during heavy weight sessions, and not through cardio exercises like spin/ treadmill/ elliptical.

    For e.g., I'm 41 years old, 175cm tall and weigh 75kg. I use a Garmin 910XT monitor and within the last month have achieved my max HR of 243. During that same one hour dumbbell session, every 5 minutes or so, I reached peaks of: 194, 207, 221, 210, 184 and 198. I cannot sustain these high heart rates and can only achieve them during heavy weight sessions. I also do spin and the max I have ever reached was 182, although my average heart rate for those 45-55 minutes spin sessions is usually 152. I have a resting heart rate measured upon waking of 49, although I will be trying to see what my lowest heart rate is soon by wearing my monitor through sleep.

    Note, about a week before that other session (during a 30 minute heavy weight session), I achieved peaks of: 239, 219, 179, 221 and 195.

    I'm still alive and only experienced a bit of heavy breathing for 30 seconds during those high peaks.

    Also, you can achieve different max heart rates depending on the type of exercise, e.g. swimming gives a slower max heart rate than cycling...than running.
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