Can a heart rate be too high...when to call the doctor???

flyfish2shaw
flyfish2shaw Posts: 1
in Fitness and Exercise
I am 38 with asthma and on week 7 of Couch to 5K. I have only been running a 12 minute mile ( 5 MPH) which is much slower than the program. Bought a heart rate monitor before trying to push myself. Resting HR is 70. Today after the warm up and about 5 minutes of running I was hovering between 175 and 205. That seems too high and obviously I should not try to go faster. Wondering if I should call my doctor...thoughts????

Replies

  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    My resting HR is 50 and I max out (when running) at 175 - 185. I don't stay that high for more than 15 seconds though.

    I don't think you need to call your doctor but take it easy. Let yourself max out at 180 ish until you build some tolerance and condition your lungs to withstand the exercise. Are you breathing properly when you run? Most people aren't. Google proper breathing for running.
  • spicegeek
    spicegeek Posts: 325 Member
    slow down - if I had one issue with the c25k program it is the implication that you should be running at 6mph - to give you an idea - A few years ago I ran a marathon in 4 hours - I gained weight and then I stopped running for 6 months - I just started back - even with my base I am currently running at 5mph - when I very first started I was running at 4 mph
  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    :frown: I would seek the opinion of a medical professional.
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    I am 38 with asthma and on week 7 of Couch to 5K. I have only been running a 12 minute mile ( 5 MPH) which is much slower than the program. Bought a heart rate monitor before trying to push myself. Resting HR is 70. Today after the warm up and about 5 minutes of running I was hovering between 175 and 205. That seems too high and obviously I should not try to go faster. Wondering if I should call my doctor...thoughts????

    Is it really 205? Sometimes the monitors mistake the t wave for a qrs and that falsely elevates the rate. Stop and take your pulse (my heart rate monitor can be set to alarm at a certain pulse rate). As long as you aren't having any unusual trouble breathing, aren't dizzy or lightheaded and the heart rate drops with rest (should drop pretty quickly to below 180) you don't necessarily need to see a doctor. You would just need to slow down. However see the doctor if you don't feel right or if your breathing is off/tight. You are or are not using albuterol before/during runs? That will increase the heart rate.

    When I had my heart monitor on during a 5K race my average was over 180. I was huffing and puffing and short of breath, but that was because I was working -- probably too hard. The heart doesn't pump as much blood if it is pumping so fast that it doesn't have time to fill up with blood.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    My guides is the deal on your hrm is not positioned correctly or tight enough. I would be surprised if your hr hit 205. If though you are worried go and see a doctor
  • toadg53
    toadg53 Posts: 302 Member
    I agree. I always think you should err on the side of caution. Especially when you have asthma. Your lungs are already compromised. Get your doctors' opinion. If he/she says don't worry, then you are ok. Always better safe than sorry. Good luck.
  • KristinaB83
    KristinaB83 Posts: 440 Member
    I was wondering the same thing... On the lowest setting on the elliptical my HR is at like 175... I haven't tried to run yet, but I can just imagine the numbers.

    I guess I'd say if you're in doubt, talk to your doctor.
  • cheripugh1
    cheripugh1 Posts: 357 Member
    I am 38 with asthma and on week 7 of Couch to 5K. I have only been running a 12 minute mile ( 5 MPH) which is much slower than the program. Bought a heart rate monitor before trying to push myself. Resting HR is 70. Today after the warm up and about 5 minutes of running I was hovering between 175 and 205. That seems too high and obviously I should not try to go faster. Wondering if I should call my doctor...thoughts????

    Heart Smart person here.... so here is a link that is from reputable heart site not joe blow... see what it say about you and then go from there... when in doubt talk to your Dr.!!!

    http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/Target-Heart-Rates_UCM_434341_Article.jsp
  • bobwest185
    bobwest185 Posts: 56 Member
    A rule of thumb measure is max rate is 220 - 38 (your age) = 182. Training range is supposed to be 60 to 80% of that or 110 to 145. Slow down a little and keep your rate below the 145. Over time you will be able to go faster but have a lower heart rate.
  • silverraiyne
    silverraiyne Posts: 683 Member
    If you're worried about it then go see your doctor, don't seek out serious medical advice in the forums (or god forbid in Yahoo Answers -- Have you seen some of the crazy shiznit that comes out of there?!) I get a high heart rate when I'm working out, more than you though, my heart rate can get beats up to the high 220's -- but I also have a heart defect (SVT - my resting heart rate is 110) The heart is nothing to play around with, if you're worried about it, get it checked out. But also keep in mind that the heart is a muscle, the more you work it, the stronger it will get and eventually your heart rate won't shoot up so high.
  • TrailNurse
    TrailNurse Posts: 359 Member
    I can easily get to around 215 when I am doing all out HIIT.....and it's only for a few seconds. As long as you don't feel dizzy, nauseous, light headed or sustained at that rate, I wouldn't worry about it. Your heart needs that challenge and will only become stronger as a result. It is a muscle after all. Work that muscle and it becomes very efficient.
  • GeminiFitness1
    GeminiFitness1 Posts: 63 Member
    Now when you are running how soon do you take you inhalers before you exercise. The inhalers can increase your heart rate as well.
  • David_AUS
    David_AUS Posts: 298 Member
    Always seek medical advice if you have any doubt. Many people do not know what their heart rate is at - at least you are aware of it so you are one step ahead there! Running your heart rate too high will damage your heart, you do not really want scarring tissue in your heart from tears. Since you were exercising and the racing heart rate cause is "known" it could be reasonably assumed that it was not caused from an infection or underlying medical condition - take note of your recovery time (time for your heart rate to return lower into a normal range - I would suggest just ramp down the intensity to a more comfortable level - 180 to 205 for the average person is running too high - personally I try to not exceed 145 - 150 ish, if you are working a sweat up you are at a high intensity anyhow. You could reference measurement check that your HRM is accurate also IE: Use on a treadmill and take both measurements or use two meters (borrow a friends or similar) to check.
  • krazyforyou
    krazyforyou Posts: 1,428 Member
    I am a cardiac RN and your max HR should not exceed 215-220 and it should drop quickly when exertion is stopped. Chance are you do not hsve it properly placed. You will definatly know when it gets to that level. You could also have something as simple as a mummer which is giving a false read. Have it checked out to be sure.
  • littlelite2
    littlelite2 Posts: 6
    As someone that had a resting heart rate due of 110 due to medication at one point, my experience is you are probably fine and just need to start slower. My biggest issue was always making sure I got enough water as being dehydrated always pushed it up higher and could cause me to get dizzy. If your resting heart rate was higher I'd say see a doctor (100+) but you should be fine for now. Keep up the good work!
  • Stacy_WLS
    Stacy_WLS Posts: 50 Member
    Everyone is different. I know in my family, my dad, sister and I all have low blood pressure, but when we exercise our heart rates go very high. I can workout consistently for 45+ mins with my heart rate above 185.

    I'd definitely check with your doctor, but it could just be how you are.

    I also don't trust the calorie burns from heart rate monitors. Since my heart rate is so high it tells me I burn a ridiculous number of calories. So I use the calories on here instead.
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    slow down - if I had one issue with the c25k program it is the implication that you should be running at 6mph - to give you an idea - A few years ago I ran a marathon in 4 hours - I gained weight and then I stopped running for 6 months - I just started back - even with my base I am currently running at 5mph - when I very first started I was running at 4 mph

    I agree. It did say somewhere to run basically as slow as you can while going through the program, and work on increasing speed later. 5mph is great for a beginner! I ran a lot at more like 4.5-4.8mph while going through the program; my stamina was better that way. Then I ended up increasing to 6, 6.5 mph relatively quickly after that. I still run 11-12 minute miles for my easy runs.
  • joehempel
    joehempel Posts: 1,543 Member
    It's a hard call.

    I did an EASY 3.25 miles a couple weeks ago and averaged 175, maxed at 185.

    I wasn't out of breath, wasn't dizzy and when I was done, I wasn't tired at all.

    This was a slow recovery pace of 10:25 per mile.

    During Insanity, my HR could get as high as 205 for a bit, but average like 167.
  • ATT949
    ATT949 Posts: 1,245 Member
    I am 38 with asthma and on week 7 of Couch to 5K. I have only been running a 12 minute mile ( 5 MPH) which is much slower than the program. Bought a heart rate monitor before trying to push myself. Resting HR is 70. Today after the warm up and about 5 minutes of running I was hovering between 175 and 205. That seems too high and obviously I should not try to go faster. Wondering if I should call my doctor...thoughts????

    There's no reason not to call your doctor but there's nothing in your posting that indicates that you have anything to discuss.

    Your resting HR is 70 - there's nothing remarkable about that and it will drop as you get into shape.

    Your running HR ranges between 175 and 205 - that indicates that your pushing yourself pretty hard but that's completely acceptable from a cardiovascular perspective.

    On the other hand, if you were to call a running coach you'r hear phrases such as "Congratulations that you're running." which would probably be followed by something along the lines of "You're running very hard. If you continue to do so, there's a chance that you'll hit an overuse injury pretty soon. Slow down."

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