Huge range between resting and exercising pulse

I am a 47 year old male, and my pulse is quite low when resting (36) and quite high when running on the treadmill (160-170). That means that my pulse during vigorous exercise is 400% of my resting pulse. I feel great, and have had a history of great health, rarely getting sick. In December I had my blood tested for various things and all results were excellent.

I am 5'7" and of muscular build, weight in the low 160s. Blood pressure normal (128/78). If I am overweight, I'd say by 10 lbs. I have a good diet and eat a lot of fresh/home made food. Light drinker, maybe 1-2 beers per week and 3-4 glasses of wine per week. Daily supplements: Vitamins B, C, D; fish oil; flax seed in cranberry water; flax seed oil; cayenne pepper, curcumin, green tea extract. Weekly supplement: one adult aspirin. I drink cranberry water every day as a thirst quencher, made from unsweetened cranberry juice.

My pulse has always had this wide range, as long as I can remember. Is there a general conclusion that can be drawn from having such a vast range between resting and exercising pulse rates? How can my heart be so efficient when at rest and so inefficient when exercising?

[frue13]

The cayenne maybe suspect i took a dose of cayenne and 15 min later I was in the hospitol.  With a crazy rythm.  Cayenne is a blood pusher I would try elliminating that to see what happens.  36 is a bit low for heart rate.  again maybe the cayenne is opening up the artieries

[smconorm]

I would say your ratio of resting heart rate to max is an indication of really good fitness.  For someone your age, running at 160 to 170 HR would be in the range one might expect during a 10K race, but a little on the high side for a treadmill workout.  I am assuming this is average for 40 minutes or more and not just a peak level?    During my running days I recorded 38 to 180 max.

However, something you should be aware of is that older long term endurance athletes are more susceptible to heart rhythm problems.   My EP acknowledges this but at this time the medical community cannot explain why.  Something to look forward to.....

[BeeBeeBee]

I have only heard good things about cayenne pepper... my heart rate range was like this even before I started taking cayenne. BTW, I have read that if you are having a heart attack, taking cayenne pepper (preferably by drinking it in liquid) can save your life.

[BeeBeeBee]

I wish it were for 40 minutes or more, but currently I reach that rate after about 10 minutes on it. I am looking forward to being able to run six miles without stopping, as I did when I was 14, but currently I am lucky to make two. My treadmill speed is not that high - around 6.4. I would be happy to do even three miles with the speed set at 7.0.

I would be really curious to know the sort of pulse that the really elite runners have when, say, they are on mile 20 of a marathon. I suspect that some of them are barely breaking 110 bpm... otherwise, they wouldn't have made it to that point.