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heart rate....what is dangerous?

I am a 59 year old male.  5'11" and 168 pounds.  I take a karate class (I am a 4th degree black belt)
2-3 times a week and I work out with weights for 45mins-1hr 2-3 times a week and I run outside or on
a treadmill 3 miles, 3 times a week .....8 min. mile the first mile....7 40 min. mile the second mile and 7:20 min.
mile the final mile.....the last 1/4 mile I run at a 1% incline.......I am measuring my heartbeat on the
treadmill at 173-175 beats a min. the final tenth of a mile of this run.....at the completion of the run my heart rate drops to 125 after 2 minutes......I don't feel spent....I feel winded but 'good'......my question is:  is a heart rate of 173-175
dangerous given that it exceeds what is 'recommended'.....(taking into account that I am in excellent
physical shape)?  Oh, and my standing heart rate is 62.  Thanks!
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Avatar universal
gymdandee.....many thanks for your thorough and helpful reply....I will use your formula to calculate MHR.....I think my heart rate is 'okay' but this will give me a great guideline......best....bogoore
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Avatar universal
Are you on any meds. or have any medical conditions? Working beyond your  range can lead to fatigue, orthopedic injury and even death! I suggest first getting cleared by your doctor! If he/she clears you then go for it! I just about all the time exceed my max. I don't know what formula you use to figure your H.R. But I suggest you figure your heart rate by this formula 
The Karvonen Formula is a mathematical formula that helps you determine your target heart rate zone. The formula involves using your maximum heart rate (MHR) minus your age to come up with a target heart rate range (which is a percentage of your MHR). Staying within this range will help you work most effectively during your cardio workouts. 
an example of the Karvonen formula for a 23 year old person with a resting heart rate of 65 beats per minute (*to get your resting heart rate, take your pulse for one full minute when you first wake up in the morning or after you've resting for a while). This formula also includes an updated calculation of maximum heart rate (the previous formula was 220 - age, which has now been shown to be inaccurate): 

206.9 - (0.67 x 23 (age)) = 191 
191 - 65 (resting heart rate) = 126 
126 * 65% (low end of heart rate zone) OR 85% (high end) = 82 OR 107 
82 + 65 (resting heart rate) = 147 
107 + 65 (rhr) = 172 
The target heart rate zone for this person would be 147 to 172 

First thing in the morning before you get out of bed have a clock with a second hand and check your resting heart rate then figure your rate by the 
Karvonen Formula above.


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Arlington, VA
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