High HR while running

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TGroenewald
TGroenewald Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Greetings

My GF and I have been trail running near to 3 years now. For the last couple of months her heart rate has been skyrocketing around the 170/180 mark while going at slow pace. This has never been an issue before while our fitness was/is improving. I on the other hand have no problems and my running improves greatly - my HR going at a 5:00min/km pace is around 135/140.

Any advice on why her HR is so high? She is 28 years, 51 Kg's and 1.69 m tall.
I am scared that she might be damaging her heart – while not really improving on speed, distance or stamina. At that rate, she is out of breath and feels fatigued.
Should we get it looked at?

Regards

Replies

  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    If this is something new after several years of running, and if it is accompanied by symptoms, then, yes it should probably be looked at. By itself, a higher than average exercise HR is not usually a big deal, but the combination of the symptoms and the acute onset you describe makes it more significant.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    If this is something new after several years of running, and if it is accompanied by symptoms, then, yes it should probably be looked at. By itself, a higher than average exercise HR is not usually a big deal, but the combination of the symptoms and the acute onset you describe makes it more significant.

    100% this.
  • MamaNatalie13
    MamaNatalie13 Posts: 32
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    My HR shot up really quickly during exercise throughout my pregnancy. She might want to take a test just to rule it out.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,643 Member
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    Does she have good insurance? If so, let her doctor know and just get a heart checkup to be on the safe side.
  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
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    Go get an EKG and a blood panel done maybe a treadmill test too. :)
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
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    She needs to see a Dr asap! I went to aerobics class one night and my hr went up to 190-200 and took forever to drop back to normal. The instructor actually made me drop the class until I saw a Dr. I blew it off because I felt FINE when it was that high, it was just a little scary. I was also at a very healthy weight, around 120 @5ft 3. I attribute not going to a Dr., to being young and dumb, in my case.
    A few years later, I had a small stroke and suddenly developed super high blood pressure that went up to 190/110! Again, no symptoms until the stroke. I finally went to the Dr. and now I'm on 2 different kinds of blood pressure medicines and blood thinners. My Dr. told me that I could have had a heart attack. I was lucky and had no serious damage, take my meds, the problems are under control and I became a runner/trail runner//biker/swimmer. No one can even tell I had a stroke. I just have some remaining weakness in my left hand, that only I notice when I try to hold things. I WAS LUCKY. My meds keep my heart rate down for the most part, but with intense exercise it can still go up to as high as 170. But now if it does, I get nauseous before getting winded. That slows me down quickly. I jog lightly or even walk to lower it, then try to keep a pace that keeps my hr around 145. It took a while to adjust to all of it, but I can happily and healthily exercise again.
    Please, please, get her to see a Dr. It could be nothing, or it could be a million different other things. Its NOT good.
  • KandGRanch
    KandGRanch Posts: 131 Member
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    My heart rate is anywhere from 190-203 while doing certain moves, on certain days. I have a pretty severe cardiac arrhythmia (they run in my family). Some days I can be fine, other days it feels like someone sucked all the air out of the room.

    I really suggest a cardiologist look at her-depending on what type (tachycardia, PAC, PVC, etc) it could be deadly, or a symptom of blocked valves or an enlarged heart. I lived for 17 years just thinking EVERYBODYS heart periodically raced for no reason, and EVERYBODY woke upwith their heart pounding and feeling like they'd been hit by a truck every now and then.

    Mine is manageable-I take it easy when it goes nuts. I take a magnesium supplement (mine is due to part of my heart firing a second too early or too late-magnesium is good for repairing the nerves that control that). Sometimes you need medication or surgery,but its better than being stuck on a couch all day.
  • TGroenewald
    TGroenewald Posts: 8 Member
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    Thank you to everyone for the advice - I have made an appointment at our local specialist for an EKG tomorrow morning.
  • KandGRanch
    KandGRanch Posts: 131 Member
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    Thank you to everyone for the advice - I have made an appointment at our local specialist for an EKG tomorrow morning.
    good deal, I hope it turns out to be something silly and not a big deal at all, so she can go back to running without issue :)
  • TGroenewald
    TGroenewald Posts: 8 Member
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    Some feedback – Severe Iron deficiency is the culprit here. Doc explained all the symptoms, risk and has placed her on meds for the next few months.
    We will track her progress and get back to him in the next 8 weeks.
    Stress EKG went fantastic, the heart is tip top - we will now see what the meds do over the next few weeks. Thanks again for all the advice, much appreciated.

    Stay fit!
  • malcolmjcooper
    malcolmjcooper Posts: 79 Member
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    Some feedback – Severe Iron deficiency is the culprit here. Doc explained all the symptoms, risk and has placed her on meds for the next few months.
    We will track her progress and get back to him in the next 8 weeks.
    Stress EKG went fantastic, the heart is tip top - we will now see what the meds do over the next few weeks. Thanks again for all the advice, much appreciated.

    Stay fit!
    That's great news
  • Frayde
    Frayde Posts: 321 Member
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    I am so glad you took it seriously and got it checked out. It could have been so much worse. I am very pleased that it is something straightforward!

    As a cardiac patient (genetic arrhythmia) and a cardiac RN, I salute you!

    Carolyn
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
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    It's good that you were able to get to the bottom of this so quickly!

    Your girlfriend should be aware that iron supplements can cause constipation--she should make sure she's drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of fiber while taking them.

    One of my favorite iron-, protein-, and fiber-rich snacks when I was pregnant and vegetarian was trail mix made from raisins, peanuts, and carob chips. Completely yummy although not terribly low-calorie if she's watching that...
  • independant2406
    independant2406 Posts: 447 Member
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    So glad the Doc was able to find the cause. Wonderful news her heart is healthy! Hope everything else gets straightened out and she's feeling better soon!

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