Heart rate too fast?

sarahnf53
sarahnf53 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone! This is my first post, and it's about my heart rate while exercising. I've been working out for about an hour 3x a week since the beginning of January, mainly focusing on increasing my endurance on the treadmill and weight loss. I started at the beginning of January at 193 lbs (5'7'' female, 32 yrs old) and now (end of February) I weigh 178. I feel good so far having lost 15 pounds, but my concern is that my heart rate still gets really high when I'm running. I thought it would decrease so I could start running for longer periods of time, but the longest I've run without stopping was for 10 minutes at a 5.2, and my heart rate was at 186. When I'm walking at a 3.6 pace my heart rate is in the 160s. I tried running at a 5.8 (which is fast for me, and I've never been a very good runner), but could only last for just over a minute. When I checked my heart rate on the treadmill it was 203! I don't have a great condition I know of, and these great rates have been pretty consistent when I use the heart rate monitor on the treadmill, so I'm just wondering if this is normal/safe? I want to try and run for longer periods of time, but my heart rate just gets so high, even at a fairly moderate pace in the 5.2-5.8 range (I could never imagine going to a 7!) Is there something I'm doing wrong, or do I just need to stick to it longer and my heart rate will eventually not be so fast? I don't feel like I need a stress or anything, and I don't smoke- I've just never been a great time and wanting to her better with my endurance. Any comments would be really appreciated! :-)

Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Everybody's heart rate is high when they run. Just slow down.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Getting the heart rate up is the whole principle of the Orange Theory fitness program.

    http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/orangetheory-fitness-hiit-heart-rate-training/
  • fittocycle
    fittocycle Posts: 827 Member
    Why don't you give your doctor a call to see if he or she is concerned? Personally, 203 seems on the high side to me. It might be normal for you but it might be a good idea to check with your doctor as well.

    My heart rate jumped up to 215 while working out one day. I was diagnosed with SVT, which is treated with medication. Basically, the medication keeps my heart rate from experiencing those spikes and jumping up too quickly.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,353 Member
    If you are using the HRM on the treadmill, that is, the one you grab on to, it is not that accurate. I have used them in the past and they jump all over. Get a proper HRM with a chest strap for the best accuracy in HR measuring. Or there is one optical one that is worn in a head band avoiding the inaccuracies of wrist based optical HRMs. A higher HR while exercising is not unexpected, more concerning would be a high HR while resting. While seeing a doctor might be called for, you need better data to know if your HR is actually high during exercise if you are using the machines HRM handles.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    First, as someone else said, you have to make sure you are getting an accurate HR reading from the machine. They are more accurate than some people think, but there can be connection issues or interference that could account for the 203 reading (not so much the others).

    There is a fairly wide range of "normal" when it comes to maximum and exercising heart rates; it is highly likely that your heart rate response is normal for you, especially since you are not having any negative symptoms such as chest pain, inappropriate shortness of breath (over and above from exercise), or dizzinesss.

    At your age, if you had any type of medical condition, it would likely be the arrhythmia mentioned earlier (SVT or something similar). Again, chances are low, but not unheard of. There's no way to sort that out yourself. Unfortunately, those things can sometimes take time (and $$) to determine.

    My advice would be to first verify those numbers. If you truly are going above 200, it might not be a bad idea to get it checked out medically.

    Other than that, I would be more patient and just keep working on your fitness and stay more in a lower to moderate range (mid-180s are probably OK) during exercise--I would not push really high intensities.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,765 Member
    Run slower. I know 5.2 seems slow, but try running at 4.8 or 5.0. See if you can run for a longer period at that slower pace. If not, run for 5 minutes, then walk for a minute or two, then try a slow jog again. You are better off running longer/farther rather than faster. Speed will come with more time on your feet.

    I have always had a high heart rate. Even now, after running 30-40 miles a week for several years, my HR is high. However, I try to run at a pace where I can speak whole sentences and where I can continue to run as far as I need to go. (I have run two marathons.) I'm not fast, but I am consistent.
  • LazyButHealthy
    LazyButHealthy Posts: 257 Member
    sarahnf53 wrote: »
    Hi everyone! This is my first post, and it's about my heart rate while exercising. I've been working out for about an hour 3x a week since the beginning of January, mainly focusing on increasing my endurance on the treadmill and weight loss. I started at the beginning of January at 193 lbs (5'7'' female, 32 yrs old) and now (end of February) I weigh 178. I feel good so far having lost 15 pounds, but my concern is that my heart rate still gets really high when I'm running. I thought it would decrease so I could start running for longer periods of time, but the longest I've run without stopping was for 10 minutes at a 5.2, and my heart rate was at 186. When I'm walking at a 3.6 pace my heart rate is in the 160s. I tried running at a 5.8 (which is fast for me, and I've never been a very good runner), but could only last for just over a minute. When I checked my heart rate on the treadmill it was 203! I don't have a great condition I know of, and these great rates have been pretty consistent when I use the heart rate monitor on the treadmill, so I'm just wondering if this is normal/safe? I want to try and run for longer periods of time, but my heart rate just gets so high, even at a fairly moderate pace in the 5.2-5.8 range (I could never imagine going to a 7!) Is there something I'm doing wrong, or do I just need to stick to it longer and my heart rate will eventually not be so fast? I don't feel like I need a stress or anything, and I don't smoke- I've just never been a great time and wanting to her better with my endurance. Any comments would be really appreciated! :-)

    Hey - I spoke to my doctor about this yesterday, as I wasn't sure of when my HR gets to 'dangerous' levels.
    She said that for my age group (early 30s like you) max rate is around 220, and high activity levels should be averaging 80% of this which is 176. Something 130ish is fine for easy pace.

    She said that I should only get concerned if I get nauseated or vomit which is when you're pushing too hard.

    You also might have a naturally high resting heart rate which you should be measuring too.

    On your endurance, she said that HR levels adjust with fitness, not just weight, so give it some time, run at a lower speed for longer if that makes you more comfortable.
  • CMNVA
    CMNVA Posts: 733 Member
    Your heart rate doesn't sound alarming to me for your age. Honestly, I think you are running too fast for your current fitness level. For now, slow down the speed to about 4.8 and try to run LONGER. Your heart rate may stay much lower for a longer period of time, but as you fatigue you will see it start to climb. Once you sort of master that, work on getting the speed up.

    Additionally, when I was younger, my heart rate was quite a bit higher than it is now. Part of that was due to being female, having heavy periods, and lower iron stores. I wasn't anemic but had low iron. My heart rate was much more elevated then. Now that I am past all that, my heart rate is a good 10-20 beats lower than it was. Good iron stores now with adequately oxygenated red blood cells.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,529 Member
    Many of the comments above are useful.

    My advise:

    - Don't mess with your heart. If you get high spikes in your HR (at any time), talk to your doctor.

    - The rule of 220-AgeInYears is a good crude estimate for max heart rate. You should exercise below 90% of max, typically.

    - The hear rate monitors built into exercise machines that you grab with your hands are very unreliable. You can check them by counting your beats for (say) 15 seconds, and multiplying by 4. Or you can buy a heart rate monitor.

  • ronocnikral
    ronocnikral Posts: 176 Member
    outside of HR issues, which may just be a monitoring issue, you should slow down. Gaining "endurance" isn't that difficult, but people chase the wrong training programs. Train slow and gradual. In fact today I ran at "4.1 mph" w/ an avg HR of 125, but it was for 50 mins after my one "interval day" I do a week (~1500 ft of stairs). Can I run 8 min/mi for an hour after my interval training? Yes, but I don't train there.

    Start over, run like you are doing an impersonation of your grand parents running, walk if you have to, keep the HR low (I'll throw out sub 130 for starters) and build slowly and gradually (10-15% additional training load week to week). If you get fatigued, stop, stretch and hit the shower. I also think that it is important to train your cardio every day but a rest day or 2 per week. My motto is, "train today so you can train tomorrow." It's not sexy, but my aerobic system is in much better condition than most.
  • z4oslo
    z4oslo Posts: 229 Member
    edited February 2017
    LazyButHealthy wrote: »
    sarahnf53 wrote: »
    Hi everyone! This is my first post, and it's about my heart rate while exercising. I've been working out for about an hour 3x a week since the beginning of January, mainly focusing on increasing my endurance on the treadmill and weight loss. I started at the beginning of January at 193 lbs (5'7'' female, 32 yrs old) and now (end of February) I weigh 178. I feel good so far having lost 15 pounds, but my concern is that my heart rate still gets really high when I'm running. I thought it would decrease so I could start running for longer periods of time, but the longest I've run without stopping was for 10 minutes at a 5.2, and my heart rate was at 186. When I'm walking at a 3.6 pace my heart rate is in the 160s. I tried running at a 5.8 (which is fast for me, and I've never been a very good runner), but could only last for just over a minute. When I checked my heart rate on the treadmill it was 203! I don't have a great condition I know of, and these great rates have been pretty consistent when I use the heart rate monitor on the treadmill, so I'm just wondering if this is normal/safe? I want to try and run for longer periods of time, but my heart rate just gets so high, even at a fairly moderate pace in the 5.2-5.8 range (I could never imagine going to a 7!) Is there something I'm doing wrong, or do I just need to stick to it longer and my heart rate will eventually not be so fast? I don't feel like I need a stress or anything, and I don't smoke- I've just never been a great time and wanting to her better with my endurance. Any comments would be really appreciated! :-)

    Hey - I spoke to my doctor about this yesterday, as I wasn't sure of when my HR gets to 'dangerous' levels.
    She said that for my age group (early 30s like you) max rate is around 220, and high activity levels should be averaging 80% of this which is 176. Something 130ish is fine for easy pace.

    She said that I should only get concerned if I get nauseated or vomit which is when you're pushing too hard.

    You also might have a naturally high resting heart rate which you should be measuring too.

    On your endurance, she said that HR levels adjust with fitness, not just weight, so give it some time, run at a lower speed for longer if that makes you more comfortable.

    Your doctor should read more.
    The formula is 220 minus your age.
    having said that, max heart rate varies from person to person. Yours could be 190, and OP could be 210
    Im 48 years old, and my max rate is close to 200, but its not a typical max heart rate for my age group.

    OP: If you are very out of shape, your heart rate will be high. Try following a structured program like C25K where you run/walk.
    In 8-9 weeks most people will be able to run 5 km, or at least close to 5 km.

    Slow down as much as you can when you run.
    Get proper runnings shoes.
    You will make progress every week as long as you run slowly, and run 3 x week.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    1. Ask your doctor.
    2. Slow down. When I started "running" this fall it was seriously at about 4 to 4.5 mph.
  • deviousme7
    deviousme7 Posts: 61 Member
    Heart rate showing on the treadmill aren't that accurate
  • sarahnf53
    sarahnf53 Posts: 3 Member
    Thank you so much to everyone who's replied to my comment so far. I definitely agree that an actual heart rate monitor would be much more accurate, so I'm going to look into getting a decent one. My resting heart rate has always been a little on the high side, so I'm going to try and slow myself down and go for slow and steady and see if that helps. It's been motivating to read everyone's responses. Thanks again! :-)
  • tomorrowistoday0000
    tomorrowistoday0000 Posts: 125 Member
    It takes time and you're perfectly normal. Go slower and stretch out your distance but also alternate with days of interval and cross training. Btw, I started running 3 years ago at age 33 at a 12 min/mi pace for 1 year. My dream was to complete a 5K one day and now I run a 5K at a 10 min/mi pace on a normal day. Believe me, you'll get better, just keep it up and be patient. Best of luck!
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