High Heart Rate

I ran today for the first time with a heart rate monitor. I'm 27, and in decent shape...I was a lot more active before my daughter was borm. Anyway, The heart rate monitor (Polar something) was up around 190 most of the run. I wasn't exhausted, but I was pushing myself. The average was around 170, but I wore it for about 15 mins before the run (resting) and 10-15 after to let my HR drop. Should I be concerned? My max should be around 170, right?

Wed. Feb 28, 8:17pm

hmmm. i'm 27 & in ok shape too & i had the same problem on the eliptical @ the gym. my friend said that it was prob just an inaccurate reading. does your watch measure your pulse on ur wrist or is there a chest band? chest bands are the most accurate.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 9:44 PM

Polar chest straps are usually very accurate. When I run at a fast pace, my heart rate is really high. I've easily sent it to197, and I'm 26. Fact is, running is taxing on your system, esp if you haven't done it for a while, or ever. Safest bet is to jog more than run, and try not to let your heart rate get above 185. If it goes higher, like it or not, slow down.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 11:20 PM

OP

I've ran off and on for most of my life...always been in sports, or on some type of diet/exercise plan. I tend to push myself to exhaustion, my theory is that if I'm not sore the next day, I could have done more. When I tried the hand sensors on one of the exercise bikes, it was high 190s. I can get around 180 with very little effort. Where should it be for burning fat? If I burn in a cardio range will I still burn fat too?

Thursday, March 1, 2007, 9:50 AM

Sounds like an inaccurate reading... try physically taking your pulse on your wrist or neck several times and see if it matches up. I am 25 and even at a dead sprint for 30 seconds, my HR is never over 185. I average 160 when running at a decent pace, and about 135 at a fast walk.

Thursday, March 1, 2007, 12:53 PM

consult your manual. every age group has a target heart rate range. i'm 36 and mine is between 133 - 163. I've gotten my heart rate up to 210, but that was in an intense intense intense class.

you can be in great shape, but not have cardio vascular endurance. i lost my CV endurance while i was injured, and can run more than 15 mins before my HR gets to 165. I used to be able to run for 45 minutes at 11 minute mile. It's not taxing per se, but i know that i'm not working my aerobic system (the fat burning kind), but rather my anaerobic system. I try to keep my HR at 145 - 155ish for 45 plus minutes (remember, I'm 36; your target HR will be different). your HR will maintain a more steady rate as you increase your endurance, and you will have to work harder to get your HR up as well (ie: you currently run 12 minute mile at 155; you will in the future have to run a 10 min mile to get your HR to 155).

the HR monitor is a good guide to give you perspective on how your body is working out. mine keeps my agro-exercise monkey in check so that i don't push myself beyond what's efficient.

Thursday, March 1, 2007, 6:25 PM

Your max HR is unique

Your max HR and someone else's could be wildly different. 190 may be no big deal for you, or it just means you're working tough. For someone like me, it's very near my max.

One of the best things I ever did for myself after buying a HR monitor was to buy a heart zone training book. I got one used on amazon for $8 by Sally Edwards who is one of the experts. Hugely helpful in training in the right zones for what you're fitness goals are plus some tests to learn your own max HR (the estimate formulas can be really off).

You can also always use the RPE (rate of perceived exertion) scale. 1-2 is no effort, 3-4 mild, etc. - these are RPEs at which you could go for hours and hours. At a 5-6 you begin to really know you're working, you might even tire out after a while. But at 7-8 and you are working very near your max, a 9-10 RPE means you can only maintain this level of effort for about 10-20 seconds

Thursday, March 1, 2007, 11:08 PM

I agree with the above poster who mentioned PRE as a better gauge... chances are, unless you're REALLY not listening to your body, you will not let yourself work so hard the it's dangerous. Each person's heart rate is unique and the maximum heart rate calculation is only theoretical and for use as a general guide. Oh, and I would just be sure you're warming and cooling down for at least a minute on either end (maybe walk fast or slow jog to gradually brin g the HR up/down). It's great you're pushing your fitness to new levels! Go for it! :)

Friday, March 2, 2007, 7:25 AM

P.S.: the above comments (PRE, etc.) were based on the assumption that your concerns stemmed only from the reading on the HR monitor... certainly if something doesn't feel right with your heart, you should see your doctor and get it checked out. he or she can tell you if further testing is necessary or if everything sounds A-OK! :)

Friday, March 2, 2007, 7:26 AM

high heart rate from a slow run

you definitely want to be careful about this. If you are older or overweight you run the risk of cardiac arrest or heart disease. Exercise should lower your heart rate over time, as will reductions in saturated fat.

Sunday, April 22, 2007, 10:15 AM

elevated heart rate running

running is so good for lowering your blood pressure, over time your heart rate should go down.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 3:33 PM

You might just have a higher HR than most people your age- I'm 37 and my max HR is like 192- which is where it should be for a 25 year old. Doesn't mean anything weird, and my doctor assures me it's normal.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 3:37 PM

Max HR

I am 46 and run 6km in 35 minutes on a regular basis, my average hr when i finish is between 189 and 192, I am quite fit and exercise regularly. Is this normal

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 3:50 AM

I agree with 3:37. Maybe you just have a higher HR. What is your resting heart rate?

I've found that as my RHR drops, it doesn't get nearly as high during exercise.

As for your other questions, here's an article about the "fat burning zone".

Link

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 12:22 PM

People - buy a book on heart rate zone training. You can test your own max HR. The numbers are unique and you should NEVER compare your HR or max HR to someone else's.

As you train and become more fit, you will be able to maintain a higher heart rate for longer durations (working at your aerobic/anaerobic threshold) and you will also be able to work harder at lower heart rates - because you're getting fit and the work is easier.

Monday, August 13, 2007, 12:15 PM

Whatever you do, don't go by the fomula (220-age=max. HR)- I'm 37 and by that formula, I should max out at 183, but my HR doesn't actually max out until around 193.

If you're really worried about it, talk to your doctor- they should be able to set you up with a really accurate max HR test for you to calibrate your HR monitor with.

Or, if you aren't all that worried, buy a book or search the internet for a way to test your max HR- usually all you need is a treadmill and an HRM and the willingness to push yourself a little farther.

Monday, August 13, 2007, 4:13 PM

High Heart Rate

I'm 48yrs old, 6ft and 191 lbs. I run 4miles in under 38mins. My HR has been measured at 165-180. I feel normal afterwards. Is my HR normal or too high for my age range?

Saturday, August 8, 2009, 10:22 PM

None of us can tell you if you should be concerned because we know nothing about your heart or your health. To get an answer to that question you need to see a physician and have an exercise stress test.

The "Predicted Maximum" at your age is 193/minute. This is a reference number that has understood meaning in medical studies. Eighty percent of your Predicted Max would be 154 and if you exercise at that level it would be good exercise.

Sunday, August 9, 2009, 2:49 PM

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