how bad is maxing your heartrate every day?

meeper123 · March 2013

I have been running everyday this week i feel fine other than sleepy, but i just want to make sure the old ticker isnt being damaged or something.

Cyclink · March 2013

Assuming you are actually hitting your maximum (not a theoretical estimate), it's not the worst thing (unless it gives you a heart attack and you die from it).

But there's really no benefit to it either.

RonandDi · March 2013

My guess is that you recently changed your exercise to increase your heartrate...chances are it won't be long before your HR drops. I try to increase either my pace or distance every few weeks, and for the first week, my HR is always real high, but it eventually goes down as you get used to the change.

This morning was one of the high days...I added 10% to my pace and at the end of the 40 minutes, I was worn out, but by the end of next week, all will be normal again.

Topsking2010 · March 2013

Speak to your doctor. You need an expert opinion. I met with my cardiologist to get a clean bill of health. Now I kick *kitten* doing cardio.

paulperryman · March 2013

I'm no expert obviously and you should seek professional advice, not anyone here, all i can tell you is what my doctor and trainer said
You shouldn't reach your maximum heart rate unless you have an issue or are taking some sort of stimulant like caffeine (alot), it's suggested for the best burn you should aim keep it at 70-85% of maxium for aslong as possible but any higher for an extended period or even briefly if you are unlucky and you risk any number of heart issues or blood pressure problems. Doesn't mean you will

but as others said your heart rate will fluctuate anyway and as you progress the average will reduce overtime, your body gets more efficient and sending oxygen and blood around the body and the heart doesn't have to work as hard, or in the case of me i have to take blood pressure medicine and on average my HR is 10-20% lower then it was b4 unless i push it like jogging for a few mins or doing a constant circuit training then i can get it upto 170 or higher

and there's no benefit to going above 85%, thats the theoretical sweet spot for anyone, now all you need to do is work out what your maximum heart rate http://www.active.com/fitness/calculators/heartrate

Dani19711 · March 2013

If it is your theoretical HR (220 - age) you'll be fine. If you want to be sure about the condition of your heart, go see your doctor

meeper123 · March 2013

Great advice all around i will make an appointment for check up

tomg33 · March 2013

If you're worried it's worth seeing a doctor. Everyone is different however and the theoretical (220 - age) is only a rough estimate. Some people can sit right near "100%" whereas for me if I'm at or above 90% then I won't be doing it long because it probably means I'm bloody hill sprinting!

SharpieV · March 2013

It's not.

If your doctor has said you're fit to exercise and you agree, you're as fit to exercise as anyone else probably is.

As another poster said, the exercise you do today that really makes your heart race will be old hat and won't have the same cardio impact in a couple weeks if you keep it up. Now, otoh, my theoretical max heart rate of 196 (220-28) is bogus. I work out hard, and mix it up, and regularly have my heart rate pushing 203 on the machine monitors, though of course I can only keep it up for a few minutes before having to slow down. The workout I did a month ago that did that for me then wouldn't have near the impact now, because I'm fitter. And that's why I do it. I WANT to increase my cardiovascular efficiency, and to do so, you've got to go to the higher end. I am not saying people should TRY to hit their max theoretical heart rate, just that if you're not working so hard that sometimes you need to take a break and catch your breath, you're probably not doing much to increase your cardiovascular fitness either.