Heart Rate Question

I am 49 and have always had a nice low blood pressure. When I start to walk in the AM my heart rate is low, like this morning it registered 31 on my HR monitor. I kept up a nice pace running and walking and worked out between 145-150 but sometimes higher. I have not calculated my real max but think it is higher than the quick calculation.
My question is: Could 31 be right? If so does that mean I am in great shape or does it just mean that everyone is different.
Thanks in advance!

Sat. Jun 24, 11:09am

I doubt that your heart rate is that low. Even marathon runner don't usually drop below 50. It's more likely a side effect of your nice low blood pressure that the monitor isn't able to pick up your heartbeat as effectively. Or, if you're taking your own heartrate, maybe you need to try a different spot, like the throat, to get a better measurement.

You could also be in great shape! It would still be really odd to have a heartrate in the low 30's on a healthy person though.

Saturday, June 24, 2006, 12:23 PM

Sounds like your heart rate monitor is not picking up your heartbeat properly - what kind are you using? Make sure it's on pretty snug and that the contacts are damp when you put it on. I have the same problem sometimes, but once I get moving it works better, don't know if that's because my bp goes up or because sweat helps the conductivity.

Saturday, June 24, 2006, 5:14 PM

Thanks guy's, I had not used the monitor in over a year and could not find the instructions. I forgot you had to dampen the contacts! Boy do I feel silly! It is a Timex HR monitor.

Sunday, June 25, 2006, 10:08 AM

Thanks for inspiring me to get out my HR monitor and use it again!

Monday, June 26, 2006, 9:05 AM

I think even the most elite athletes have a resting HR of 42-45.

Don't forget, that one great measure of your fitness is your recovery rate. It's cool to see that number improve.

Monday, June 26, 2006, 11:38 AM

Yeah, the HR monitor is actually reading the electrical activity of your heart, so the contacts need to be damp in order for the sensor to pick that up.

Monday, June 26, 2006, 9:55 PM

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