high heart rate

My 11 year old son was working out on an elliptical machine just a moderate workout (we just started working out with him) and his heart rate was up above 180 while exercising this seem high, should we be concerned.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

The average max heart rates are 220-age.  Your son's predicted max is 209.  That is abot 86% max predicted.  The time to reach a heart rate is not only dependent on the level of exertion, but also stress level, rest, and the time given to warm up. Unless there were symptoms of some sort, I wouldn't give it a second thought.  

I hope this helps.

[LukeL]

In an uncondtioned person this will be very common and a young persons heart can easily work at this pace. Also don't rely on heart rate monitors ( the kind used for working out) as they can give many false ratings.