Started cardio, having issues with heart rate.

Jennymadden94
Jennymadden94 Posts: 2
in Getting Started
I just had twins two months ago and I was overweight to begin with (189 pre-pregnancy) I shot all the way up to 234lbs during my pregnancy and now nearly two months later I'm at 207.4lbs. I joined a gym for the first time yesterday- planet fitness- nobody showed me how to use the machines so I hopped on the treadmill and figured it out myself. I held on to the censors and set the treadmill to fat burn. I started my speed at 3.0. My heart rate shot up to 192-194 and was making the machine decrease the pace. Prior to me working,while I was in the hospital before and after delivery, I was asked if I've ever had heart problems cause my heart rate was so high. Does anybody else have this issue while working out? Is it normal for my heart to be pumping that high? I'm 19 going to be 20 in a week if that helps any. I don't know if I should get this looked into...

Replies

  • ros2will3run
    ros2will3run Posts: 104 Member
    Hi,
    have no idea..but it sounds like a doctor's visit is advisable!!
    All the best.
    Congratultions on your new arrivals!!
    byeee for now!!
  • ros2will3run
    ros2will3run Posts: 104 Member
    ps..add as a pal if you like!!
    I'm way overweight but keen to get fit..taking it slow and steady for now!!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    okay... but how did you feel??

    Fitness-Exertion.png
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Heart rate gradually decreases as we get older. I remember when I was pregnant and one of the first times I heard my baby's heartbeat I was worried because it was SO fast. But found out for babies, that was normal. Depending on method (there are several) the maximum heart rate for a 20 year old seems to range from 188-200. As a person becomes more fit, the heart works more efficiently and doesn't beat as fast.

    As to whether you have reason for concern - its hard for us to say. I would suggest that you control your own pace rather than letting the machine set it for you. Especially as you are just starting out. Walk at a pace that feels like work for you, but not so much that you're out of breath. Hydrate before cardio, and a little more as you go.

    It wouldn't hurt to discuss with your doctor.

    Oh, and congrats on the twins!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I would suggest a visit to the doctors. You may have a high resting heart rate...and thus a higher heart rate when you workout because you are out of shape, or you could have a medical condition. Despite being very fit and healthy, I have a high resting hear rate as well as hypertension for which I take a beta blocker (cardiac chill pill). Even as fit as I am, without my meds my RHR is around 110 BPM, with my beta blocker it's around 65 BPM
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    Most sensors at commercial gyms aren't calibrated even yearly. You're better off just getting a personal HRM. But the best way to assess is tracking your breathing. If you're gasping for air, it's too hard for you.
    If you have a history of heart issues in your family, make sure to get permission from your physician to exercise.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • hikezilla
    hikezilla Posts: 174 Member
    Please go see your doctor. You're too young for this. It could very well be something you are eating. When your rate gets up that high...how winded are you?

    At your age your resting heart rate ought to be about 80...according to the American Heart Association, at your age your target heart rate during exercise should be between 100 and 180 and your maximum heart rate at no more than 200.

    The average resting heart rate is 60-80 beats per minute, but it’s usually lower for physically fit people. It also rises with age.

    From the AHA website:

    If your target heart rate is too high, you’re straining. So slow down. If it’s too low, and the intensity feels “light” or “moderate/brisk,” push yourself to exercise a little harder. During the first few weeks of working out, aim for the lowest part of your target zone (50 percent). Then, gradually build up to the higher part (85 percent). After six months or more, you may be able to exercise comfortably at up to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. But you don't have to exercise that hard to stay in shape.

    “It’s not an absolute, but it’s a good tool to have,” says Fletcher, who is also an American Heart Association volunteer. “And if you don’t know it, remember, if you’re not able to carry on a conversation (while exercising), that may be a bit too much.”

    If you have a heart condition or you’re in cardiac rehab, talk to a healthcare professional about what exercises you can engage in, what your target heart rate should be and whether you need to be monitored during physical activity. This will also help you to choose the types of physical activity that are appropriate for your current fitness level and health goals, because some activities are safer than others.
  • martinel2099
    martinel2099 Posts: 899 Member
    It wouldn't hurt to see your doctor but also look at what your ideal heart rate should be when working out.

    Here's a simple formula- Your maximum heart rate is 220-(your age) 50 to 85% of your heart rate is what you should shoot for when exercising.

    Since you're 20, 220-20, which means your max heart rate is 200. 60% of that would be 120, 85% would be 170. If you're getting outside of that range decrease the speed / intensity of the machine, or better yet use a machine with heart rate monirtor and it will adjust for you under the cardio setting.

    So for me, my max heart rate is 220-28, which is 192. When I work on the elliptical i generally stick to a heart rate of 155, which is roughly 80% of my maximum heart rate.

    Here's what I recommend, I would advise you to speak to your doctor to make sure you don't have any serious heart conditions.

    Also, use treadmills and ellypicals that have a cardio setting that will adjust the difficulty based on your heart rate. It will increase / decrease the intensity based on your heart rate.
  • justformel
    justformel Posts: 193 Member
    I also have this condition when I work out. No matter how fit I am, I always have a high heart rate. Talked to my dr about it and he said everything looked good, could be genetics, even though my resting heart rate is in the normal range. After talking to my brother, I learned he has this same condition that almost got him discharged from the Navy.

    If you weren't feeling dizzy or light headed, more than likely, you were fine. I would recommend buying a heart rate monitor with a chest strap so you know your real rate and if it's still that high, run it past your dr just to be on the safe side, but also remember all the work your body just went through 2 months ago, it's still trying to get back to normal. :smile:
  • AmandaLY17
    AmandaLY17 Posts: 184 Member
    If you are nervous about it, no reason not to see your family physician... however, in my 20's my heart rate frequently hit 190+... highest I've seen was 209. Now (at 32 and using a personal hrm) I hit around 179-185. Because of a low resting heartrate I recently saw my family dr and got a whole big 'heart workup' and everything is totally fine and Im cleared to exercise. Like a previous post mentioned... go by how you feel based on exertion
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    I also have this condition when I work out. No matter how fit I am, I always have a high heart rate. Talked to my dr about it and he said everything looked good, could be genetics, even though my resting heart rate is in the normal range. After talking to my brother, I learned he has this same condition that almost got him discharged from the Navy.

    If you weren't feeling dizzy or light headed, more than likely, you were fine. I would recommend buying a heart rate monitor with a chest strap so you know your real rate and if it's still that high, run it past your dr just to be on the safe side, but also remember all the work your body just went through 2 months ago, it's still trying to get back to normal. :smile:
    There are CONDUCTIVE DISORDERS with some people who experience what you have. Long QT (I believe is what it's called) is hereditary. Check it out.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    Check with your doctor because it *could* be something wrong. However, people's heart rates vary based on age, fitness level, and genetics. The listed rates on the machines are averages, not absolutes.

    I was concerned about my heart rate at first so I asked "Dr. Google," and I found that a more accurate test of heart health than absolute heart rate is how quickly your heart rate goes down after exercise...so you exercise and get your heart rate up, measure it. Then you stop exercising, measure it again, and it should go down at least 12 beats a minute: http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/heart-rate-drop-first-minute-after-exercise-9062.html

    Also, exercising at the "fat burning zone" doesn't really burn more fat than at the "cardio zone." It really is more of a calories in/out ratio, and you'll burn more calories exercising for half an hour at the "cardio zone" than the "fat burning one." So if you don't feel overly tired and the machine slows you down, I would probably turn off that feature on the machine....assuming you are healthy enough for exercise of course.
  • Colleen118
    Colleen118 Posts: 491 Member
    I know when I run versus using low impact cardio my heart rate gets high much more quickly. As to whether or not it is a concern, only a doctor can tell you that but mine always told me that in time it would level out and I would find my confortatble place. Having blood pressure issues at 39, my doc wants mine kept below 170, which is not a problem unless I am running. I have caught mine up at almost 180 while running before and I actually felt fine there. I will discuss this with my doctor at the next visit in May as to whether I should still be worried about keeping it lower or if I am good as long as I don't feel like I can't handle it....

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