Is this heart rate healthy?

Lizshouse88
Lizshouse88 Posts: 81
edited September 28 in Fitness and Exercise
After becoming curious about heart rate vs calories, I decided to measure my heart rate right after getting off the elliptical tonight. I measured it at 210bpm. Now I'm a pretty big girl but still capable of exercising as long as my knees don't give out on me lol but I was just wondering is that healthy? It seems like a LOT!

Replies

  • ladygloria
    ladygloria Posts: 279 Member
    Everyone is different and it varies according to age. That sounds high to me, but I don't know how old you are. Read this link. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4736
  • Lizshouse88
    Lizshouse88 Posts: 81
    Everyone is different and it varies according to age. That sounds high to me, but I don't know how old you are. Read this link. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4736

    I am 23 and I weigh 357
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    Depends on your age! Google Maximum Heart Rate and all sorts of calculators come up.

    Mine is about 192 - but I get dizzy and want to spew when it hits about 165...
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    How did you measure your heart rate? I believe that is about absolute max that anyone should go. You go any higher than that and you can have problems.
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    This is a question best answered by your health care provider. Doctor, clinic, whatever you can go to. This question is for them. We can spout generalities to you and quote websites, but YOU specifically have all sorts of unique things going on that only a personal visit with a physician can clear up.

    I am concerned with my own heart rate, and have done reading upon reading. I'm still concerned, and need to go see a doctor.
  • ladygloria
    ladygloria Posts: 279 Member
    Everyone is different and it varies according to age. That sounds high to me, but I don't know how old you are. Read this link. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4736

    I am 23 and I weigh 357

    The chart I linked you too will tell you target and maximum heart levels for exercise.
  • makcarly
    makcarly Posts: 24 Member
    That does seem a little high to me too. I have a pretty fast resting heart rate normally and my hr was 175 the first time I used the elliptical but it has since slowed down.
  • Lizshouse88
    Lizshouse88 Posts: 81
    How did you measure your heart rate? I believe that is about absolute max that anyone should go. You go any higher than that and you can have problems.

    I put my finger up to my neck, watched a clock and counted for 60 seconds - is there a better way? if so, please share :) that's the only way I know how to do it!
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    Just wanted to tell you that I am 25 and near 150 lbs. My heart rate stays in the range of 150-185 when I exercise. Sometimes when I am jogging/running it will climb into 190s and up to 199 but I always can feel a change. I feel hot in the face and like my ears are pounding so I slow down and take a break. I look at my HRM watch and it says 190+ each time I feel that way. I think (for me) that is a dangerously high level, and I try to keep it under 190 as much as I can.
  • AshDHart
    AshDHart Posts: 818 Member
    Your maximum heart rate is about 220 minus your age. So, 220-23=197 would be the maximum. It's lower for your target heart rate while exercising though. I would speak with your doctor since it seems high.
  • blink1021
    blink1021 Posts: 1,115 Member
    I have always been told when you measure heart rate you hold your index and middle finger to pulse in your neck count for 10 seconds than multiply that by 6.
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
    That does seem a lot.

    Did you take your pulse for 10 secs and multiply by 6 or 30 sec and multiply by 2? Maybe a math error?
    When you took your pulse did you take it with your forefingers on your wrist or your neck?
    (If you used your THUMB you might feel a double beat one in your wrist and the other in you thumb and not get an accurate reading)

    I'm no expert, I've just started looking into this too.
    It's my understanding that it's all relative based on your resting heart rate and your age.

    When you wake up in the morning don't get up and going right away rest for about 15 minutes and then take your pulse. That is your resting pulse rate.

    Google "heart rate calculator", plug in age and resting heart rate and your age to get your target heart rate. Mine Max Heart rate was about 170, but I'm pushing 50 so do the math for your age you could be okay
  • poseyj88
    poseyj88 Posts: 140 Member
    That is too high. No question.

    I'm 22, so our heart rate zones should be about the same. My zone goes from 128-168 (I think that's up to 80%). Fat burning zone is about 148-158.
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
    You got me curious I just found this...


    karvonen formula


    This method of calculating your target training zone is based on your maximal heart rate and resting pulse.

    The correlation here is more directly linear: 60% to 80% of your Heart Rate Reserve, HRR, equals 60% to 80% of your functional capacity.

    To determine your target training zone with HRR, do this:
    Take your resting pulse three mornings in a row, just after waking up. Add all of them together, and divide by 3, to get the average.

    Let's say your average is 60 beats per minute.

    (220) - (your age) = MaxHR

    (MaxHR) - (resting heart rate) = HRR

    (HRR) x (60% to 80%) = training range %

    (training range %) + (resting heart rate) = (your target training zone) so,

    220 - 35 = 185 (MaxHR)

    185 - 60 = 125 (HRR)

    125 x .6 = 75 (60% training percentage)

    125 x .8 = 100 (80% training percentage)

    75 + 60 = 135 (target training zone, in beats per minute)
    100 + 60 = 160 (target training zone, in beats per minute)

    So, your target training zone, in beats per minute is 135 to 160. Of course, to get a 15 second target simply divide each number by 4. That would be 34 to 40 beats over 15 seconds. When counting beats, start with the first beat as zero: ie. 0-1-2-3-4...38-39-40.

    Here's the link if you want to check out the source:
    http://www.sportfit.com/sportfitglossary/energetics_aerobic_krvnn.html
  • AshDHart
    AshDHart Posts: 818 Member
    Here is a good calculator from the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/target-heart-rate/SM00083
  • RCKT82
    RCKT82 Posts: 409 Member
    Your maximum heart rate is about 220 minus your age. So, 220-23=197 would be the maximum. It's lower for your target heart rate while exercising though. I would speak with your doctor since it seems high.

    Agreed... you're definitely pushing the red zone for your Max HR... I would bring it down a notch. the 220-age is a pretty generic but great way of determining your Max HR. I wouldn't go any higher than that without a go ahead from a doctor.

    anything beyond 90% of your Max HR shouldn't be performed for an extended amount of time without the proper conditioning and careful eye of a doctor.
  • Lizshouse88
    Lizshouse88 Posts: 81
    I thought maybe it was too high. . . but how to I change it? I mean, I was going 2mph on the elliptical for 5 minutes and it got that high. I can only imagine what it gets up to when I do Zumba!!! It's not like I am pushing myself extra hard or anything. I guess it's just how my body reacts to exercise.

    On another note. My BP has always been on the low side (averaging about 110/50)... My last 2 doc apt (I go every month) My BP has been something like 90/60...... could that have anything to do with it?
  • RCKT82
    RCKT82 Posts: 409 Member
    I have a hard time bring my HR down below 70% on the elliptical. Have you tried doing another machine like the treadmill instead? Also, certain meds or caffeine can bump your HR up too even with a normal BP.
  • Lizshouse88
    Lizshouse88 Posts: 81
    I have a hard time bring my HR down below 70% on the elliptical. Have you tried doing another machine like the treadmill instead? Also, certain meds or caffeine can bump your HR up too even with a normal BP.

    Well, the gym I go to only has 4 different types of machines - bikes, stair steppers, treadmills and elliptical machines. I can't use the treadmill. Either their machines are old and crappy or I cant walk on them right because the belt ends up stopping mid-walk after a few minutes plus I look more like I am trying not to slide off the end of it because I cant keep my balance LOL... I usually do the bike for 10-20 minutes and then the elliptical for a short while. I don't dare try the stair stepper! haha! I only do this once a week. 3 other days I am doing Zumba.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories