Heart Rate Recovery

I recently had a stress echo, images were good according to the Cardiologist.  My lab profiles are Triglycides 409,   LDL 195, HDL 65, Cholesterol 243.  My stress test went 13:30 on Bruce Protocol with a max HR of 194 (I am 33 yrs old) but 10 minutes post recovery I was still 140bpm.  How alarmed should I be and what can I do to fix or improve.  I have already started a low carb low fat diet and started an aerobic exercise program.   I am on 5mg of lisinpril for hypertensionl; my BP is now 120/77.  Thanks

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I would need to see the EKGs.  Post exercise heart rates that remained elevated are sometimes an arrhythmia, other times it reflects slow heart rate recovery.  If it was a gradual decline in heart rate, it is probably a slow heart rate recovery time.  If it was an abrupt change in heart rate when the rate decreased, it was probably an arrhythmia.

Slow heart rate recovery time is a sign of decreased vagal tone or reconditioning.  Your doctor should be able to help you differentiate the two.  A moderate, doctor approved exercise program and a good diet are probably the best way to approach this.

If your problem was an arrhythmia, your cardiologist will probably refer you to a heart rhythm specialist.

I hope this answers your question.  Thanks for posting.

[gord1138]

Thanks Doc!  I will be following up with my GP this week.