:-( Time to see the doctor?
Runnermadre
Posts: 267 Member
I hesitated before typing in the subject line because I don't want everyone to think I'm depending on you all to tell me when I need to go to the doctor. I really just want to know if anyone has had the same experience, and what they did. I should start by telling you that I've been running on and off for the last two years, but very regularly since February of this year. For as long as I can remember, I've had trouble with my heart rate getting pretty high, but as soon as I pull back a little it starts coming right back down. My resting heart rate is in the 50's, but when I start a run it shoots up to the 180's which my HRM tells me is too high. I just try to pay attention to my breathing and how hard the workout feels. Well, the last few times I've gone on a run, my heart rate has just been out of control, and it takes a long time to come back down. During my last two runs I've had a hard time keeping my heart rate under 200, and I had to walk for over 8 minutes just to bring it back down below 130. Has anyone had this experience? Thoughts? Suggestions?
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I have not, but it really sounds as though it's time to get checked out by a doctor. If your heart rate is this variable, you don't want to leave that to run its own course without medical advice!0
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Um...my first question is do you KNOW that your heart rate monitor is right??
Mine that I just got is wrong...I know that because I did it myself for a while.
HRM's, especially the lower end ones are TERRIBLE...they are a waste of money in my opinion.
After you figure out if its your heart rate monitor or not, then yeah, just to be safe, get a stress test done. You say that your HR shoots to the 180's, well for me that's typical, I'm 32, weigh 198 lbs. If I were to use my HRM, I would be in the 90's LOL.
But the stress test will let you know where you stand and be 100% accurate.0 -
I have a heart murmur. My heart rate fluctuates and my doctor just says to do what I feel comfortable with. I'm not exactly in the same boat as you, but my heart rate gets up pretty high. Every machine I used in a gym would tell me I reached past the fat burning zone and now into something else, I forget. My HRM can be adjusted to whatever setting I choose. I stuck with the default settings and figured I could adjust when need be.0
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I would also question the HRM if you aren't taking it yourself. Some are notorious for fluctuations and plain bad readings.0
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I have a heart murmur. My heart rate fluctuates and my doctor just says to do what I feel comfortable with. I'm not exactly in the same boat as you, but my heart rate gets up pretty high. Every machine I used in a gym would tell me I reached past the fat burning zone and now into something else, I forget. My HRM can be adjusted to whatever setting I choose. I stuck with the default settings and figured I could adjust when need be.
I'm the same, and I have a heart arrhythmia which causes my heart rate to vary depending on levels of stress, activity, heat and just whenever it feels like it... :-) I'd recommend seeing a doctor to see if they can determine the cause, if there is any. With mine, they ran some tests and determined it's harmless.0 -
It might be nothing, but it's good that you're getting it checked.
When I do anaerobic interval training, I get my heart rate up to 176-180 (which is just shy of my maximum heart rate of 186) for short bursts of work. But, it comes back down to my cardio training zone very quickly - usually in less than a minute. The fact that you're not recovering quickly is probably part of what's worrying you, no?
At your age, a good cardio training range is probably close 137-176 (if you're a fit, regular exerciser). It's OK to go higher than that range for short intervals, but it sounds like you're staying well above that for prolonged periods of time.0 -
Um...my first question is do you KNOW that your heart rate monitor is right??
Mine that I just got is wrong...I know that because I did it myself for a while.
HRM's, especially the lower end ones are TERRIBLE...they are a waste of money in my opinion.
After you figure out if its your heart rate monitor or not, then yeah, just to be safe, get a stress test done. You say that your HR shoots to the 180's, well for me that's typical, I'm 32, weigh 198 lbs. If I were to use my HRM, I would be in the 90's LOL.
But the stress test will let you know where you stand and be 100% accurate.
I have a Polar FT7, so it's not top of the line, but not exactly cheap either. Maybe I should try taking it myself a few times. I guess I'm just hoping the that it's nothing major because stress tests are so expensive! I know you can't put a price on your health, but still. :-/0 -
I would also questions your heart rate monitor. Maybe next time you go for a run and it shows your heart rate is going really high, look at your watch and count yourself how many beats your heart takes in that minute. Then, if it's as high as your HRM is saying, I'd go see your doctor. Better to be safe then sorry.0
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I would go see a doctor. Get it checked just to have peace of mind. He might do an ekg test right there.0
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Depending on your age of course the 180s can be ok. My trainer says 1/2 the time in the 180s is just fine, 200s no, I would see a doctor. If I am not over 150 I don't even feel like I am working hard enough.0
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I would try both ways, try counting for a full minute, then run again and count for 10 secs and multiply by 6 that way you get a reading before it has a chance to fluctuate or slow and lessen the chance of miscount. My Jr High coach taught me that one!
But then she also had me running hurdles in the gym in socks... doh! :-(0 -
If the chest strap on your HRM has dried sweat on it it will effect the reading. Also, if the batteries are getting low it will effect the reading. How do you FEEL? Do you feel like your heart is racing that fast? If your heartrate monitor is correct, you should definitely head to the Dr.0
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No matter if your heart rate monitor is correct or not, I would go see your doctor in regards to your heart rate taking so long to come down. I've read that if your heart rate has dropped less that 12 beats per minute after stopping exercise, this may indicate an increased risk of M.I. (heart attack). I can't remember the source of that info, sorry. But if I were you I would take it easy and get it checked out with the Doctor as soon as possible. Good luck!0
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Go to the doctor and get checked out ASAP.
I have the opposite problem. Mine never gets high. My resting heartrate is about 42, and it absolutely peaked last week at 140 (while biking up very steep inclines); but my average heavy work-out heartrate is 125-128. I was going in for a check-up anyway last week, and brought up my low heartrate with my doctor. He said that either I have a blockage (ack!!) or just an abnormally low heart rate. I was hooked up to an EKG in a matter of minutes to find that luckily, I have a perfect sinus rhythm... just slow. Diagnosis... I'm part turtle. But a relieved turtle.
Go to the doctor!0 -
How do you feel when you run? If you feel OK, I wouldn't worry too much, esp. given the fact that your heart rate slows when you slow down. Also, remember, that heart rates soar in the heat b/c you're working harder. My max heart rate is over 200 bpm.
I would say, though, to bring down the intensity a bit. As an RRCA-certified running coach, the calculator for acceptable heart rates is WAY OFF.0 -
Um...my first question is do you KNOW that your heart rate monitor is right??
Mine that I just got is wrong...I know that because I did it myself for a while.
HRM's, especially the lower end ones are TERRIBLE...they are a waste of money in my opinion.
After you figure out if its your heart rate monitor or not, then yeah, just to be safe, get a stress test done. You say that your HR shoots to the 180's, well for me that's typical, I'm 32, weigh 198 lbs. If I were to use my HRM, I would be in the 90's LOL.
But the stress test will let you know where you stand and be 100% accurate.
here here...my HRM totally sabotaged my efforts. If you read up about them in fitness literature they will tell you that HRM are notoriously out of wack. I would definitely go get some stress tests done on your heart just to be safe, but ditch the HRM. My Heart Rate on the elypticall is usually high 170's when I'm workin' it, so 180 while running for a long time doesn't seem that detrimental. But still go get checked out, for peace of mind if anything.0 -
It does seem at your fitness level and age that your heart rate should recover more quickly after exercise... based on that alone I'd get myself checked out by a doctor. That said, I'm also wondering how you FEEL when your heart rate is elevated for this prolonged time. Your doctor will also want to know this. Good luck getting to the bottom of this... it is probably fine but getting checked out by your doc will provide you some peace of mind.0
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I would also suspect your HRM first. Have you been rinsing the chest strap before and after every use? And do you clean it periodicaly? If you're not sure about proper use/care and no longer have your owner's manual, you can find an electronic copy on the Polar website.
Do you feel "off" any other time? If so, definitely go to your doc. If not, just go for a vigorous walk (so you're not pushing it in case there is a problem) and take your heart beat manually to see how it compares. And if it's still high manually, go see your doc.
Either way, take care of yourself!0 -
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. During my workout today, I stopped periodically to take my heart rate manually and compare it with my HRM. They were the same. That being said, I reached my max heart rate at 5.7 mph. What the heck?! I've been running at around 6.5, and been fine. I just don't understand. I ended up calling the doc, and I have an appt. in the morning. Hopefully I'll get some answers. Today, it took about 6 minutes for my heart rate to drop from 195 to 130. When I find out more, I'll be sure to let you all know!0
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Also, for those who were asking how I feel when I run, well, it varies. Usually I feel like I'm working, but I don't feel like I'm pushing to the limit or anything like that. I can talk in short sentences and carry on a conversation. I ran a 5K about a week and a half ago, and since then my runs feel much harder. I took 3 days off after the race because my hamstrings were tender, and I eased back into it so as not to overdo it. If it tells you anything about my fitness or abilities, I ran that race in 26:49. I have run on and off for more than 2 years, and quite regularly since February. It just doesn't make sense. Oh, and to the one who asked about my chest strap, I do rinse it before and after I use it, and it get's cleaned periodically. :-)0
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Glad that you were able to get an appointment so quickly. Hope that your doc can give you some answers!0
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Started feeling like I had the stomach flu last night, and am still really sick this morning, so I had to reschedule my appointment. They couldn't get me in until Monday. *sigh*0
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