Concerned about heart rate

aschroeder2749
aschroeder2749 Posts: 172 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I'm pretty new to exercise and just bought a heart rate monitor. I am 28 years old, 5'7", and 145 lbs. When I'm doing cardio with a workout DVD or when I'm running, my heart rate ranges from 140 to 180. Typically, if I'm out of breath, it's 160-180.

Is this normal? From what I calculate online using target heart rate calculators, it's saying it should be 140-163. Is it dangerous that it's getting so high? I'm not doing anything I feel a 28 year old shouldn't be able to do...

Replies

  • anaconda469
    anaconda469 Posts: 3,479 Member
    What type of HRM do you have?
  • aschroeder2749
    aschroeder2749 Posts: 172 Member
    It is a Polar with a chest strap.
  • Athena98501
    Athena98501 Posts: 716 Member
    Hi, I'm pretty new to exercise and just bought a heart rate monitor. I am 28 years old, 5'7", and 145 lbs. When I'm doing cardio with a workout DVD or when I'm running, my heart rate ranges from 140 to 180. Typically, if I'm out of breath, it's 160-180.

    Is this normal? From what I calculate online using target heart rate calculators, it's saying it should be 140-163. Is it dangerous that it's getting so high? I'm not doing anything I feel a 28 year old shouldn't be able to do...

    No, that alone is not dangerous. It may mean you're a little out of shape. I recently had a full work-up by a cardiologist for the same reason, but mine's a little more extreme. I have high bp, but there's nothing at all wrong with my heart. He just said I'm aerobically deconditioned. I run around 110-120 while sitting, and easily get into the 180s (not even out of breath). When I can work out with any consistency, the hr I reach during exercise does go down.
  • aschroeder2749
    aschroeder2749 Posts: 172 Member
    I am DEFINITELY out of shape and not used to exercise. I will stick with it then and not worry about it. When I do see it get to 180, I slow down. Most of my workout DVDs are 45 minutes and I run (well, run/walk intervals) for 30 minutes at a time.
  • anaconda469
    anaconda469 Posts: 3,479 Member
    I have the Polar FT4 w/chest strap. At first when I started riding my heart rate jumped real high. But as I continued to ride and get more fit, now my heart rate is between 117 and 140 (depending on how many hills I ride up). For your age, you should notice it coming down with conditioning. I enter my FT4 results on Polar's PolarFitness page, just to keep track. Mine does not upload.
  • aschroeder2749
    aschroeder2749 Posts: 172 Member
    Mine is the FT4 as well. Do you feel the calories burned tracker is accurate?
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    Unless you have a heart condition, no, there is nothing dangerous about that. The HR ranges are not particularly useful for various reasons. Over time, as you get more fit, your HR will go down both while at rest and while exercising.
  • anaconda469
    anaconda469 Posts: 3,479 Member
    Mine is the FT4 as well. Do you feel the calories burned tracker is accurate?

    I feel that the number that shows up on the watch is as close as I can get and it is the number I use, but that's just me. In my opinion, it is more accurate than anything MFP has in it's database.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Sounds typical to me. I wouldn't worry about target heart rates either unless you're doing something like pacing yourself for long distance running.
  • sarahg148
    sarahg148 Posts: 701 Member
    I have the Polar FT7. I love it! I can tell when my HR gets a bit too high...usually around 173 or so it feels like my heart is beating out of my chest and then I usually slow down to get it to about 165 or so. I don't always use it, but most of the time. The only thing that really gets my HR up is running...which I don't really do because I find it boring and seem to get shin splints, blisters on toes and black and blue toe nails, lol. Just go at a rate that you feel is sustainable. I tend to have an easier time working out in later morning and after. First thing in the morning is not my time!
  • aschroeder2749
    aschroeder2749 Posts: 172 Member
    Thanks everyone for the great advice!
  • TXBlonde81
    TXBlonde81 Posts: 78 Member
    I keep the app running while I am exercising and within eye sight. I use both the Polar app and the Digifit app but mostly keep the Digifit screen up. It lets me know what zone I am exercising in, bpm, and a percentage. If I am over 100% (typically in spin class) it will yell at me and I know to back it down.

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