High heart rate during exercise

[picks4]

I am a new paramedic, and I recently took the physical fitness test at the hospital.  I was told that as a 33 year old female, my maximum heart rate should be around 158 during activity.  It was 198 at one point.  Unfortunately my active heart rate has always been high, and until this test, it has never been a problem.  I was told I need to figure out how to correct this.  Any ideas? Certain exercises, or medications?

[my3reasonsy]

You could try yoga. It's a calming exercise. Maybe just walking for cardio exercise. Also, stay away from caffiene.  Oh, and make sure you don't get dehydrated, that will cause the heart rate to go up too.  I am 38 yr old female and my heart rate sometimes goes to 200+bpm during exercise. I also get pain when it's that high.  Dr. put me on a beta blocker to slow the heart rate down.  Check with your doctor about what might help you.  Good luck!

[mltnichols]

I am having the same problem. I can't figure it out at all. I am only 22, female, 5'5", 116, vegetarian, don't smoke....very healthy. I have super low blood pressure but my resting and exercising heart rates are extremely high. I went to a cardiologist and they told me I was just out of shape. I have been working out at least 5 days a week for 2 monthsnow, 2 hr's a day, 45 minutes of consecutive cardio each day, and my heart rate isn't budging. If you figure out something that works, please post it. I feel like I'm doing everything and am at a loss.

[Angie O Plasty]

I'm not a doctor or anything, but I do think some people just have higher exercise heart rates.  I am a 22yo female, 5'2", 108 lbs., and run three miles a day (not very fast--about 11 min/mile).  My heart rate reaches or exceeds 200 bpm at least once every run, and when I was on a Holter monitor a couple years ago (was having some palpitations checked out) I worked out and at one point got it up to 211.  My resting rate is in the mid 50's, which is down a bit from what it was when I started running (was in the mid 60's).  Now I usually wear a HR monitor while running and I have seen readings of 217 and 218 a couple of times that I think might have been legitimate readings as opposed to resulting from some interference, but I can't be sure on that.  When my heart rate gets really high like that, I do feel like I'm working very hard but I don't feel sick or anything--it just seems to be a normal occurrence for me.  So I guess what I'm saying is "join the club".  The number you were given for what your HR should have been may have come from the target HR formula that uses 220-age for your maximum rate.  That formula is an average and does not hold for everyone--maybe you're just someone who has a higher max HR.  (Personally I think that formula should be defenestrated--if you don't know what that means, look it up).  What did the physical fitness test involve?  I would be curious to know how strenuous it is.  Also, how were you feeling at the time your heart rate was so high?  Were you feeling OK and just feeling like you were working hard, or did you feel weak/dizzy/otherwise yucky?  If you were feeling bad, that would seem to make it more of a cause for concern.

[Angie O Plasty]

May I ask what your resting and exercise heart rates are?  How high is "extremely high"?  Also, what type of exercise do you do during your workouts?

[star queen]

When stress, like exercise, increases the heart rate, it makes you a higher risk for stroke and heart attack in this profession.  Since the stress levels suffered by EMTs in emergency situations, your heart rate may prevent you from getting and keeping a job.  Alot of time exercises that are aerobic bring down the heart rate.  Biking, swimming, low impact aerobics and power walking are good exercises that will give you a good workout without raising your heart rate too high.  If it continues to be high, then have the MD order a PET stress test to checkout the stress on the heart. good luck

[my3reasonsy]

Hello.  Could you tell me what a PET stress test is? I had a treadmill stress test with thalium, is that the same?

[star queen]

A PET stress test is not the same as a Thalium stress test.  Thalium is usually given first because the cost of the PET is higher.  PET is used to visualize the heart under stess by giving a radiolucent (shows up on xrays) chemical called Persartine (and others). This drug simulates exercise and the heart reacts as though you are experiencing a hard workout.  Pictures are taken on a special xray machine in the Nuclear Medicine department.  It is difficult to get the pictures off a regular treadmill test because the heart slows down too fast for the pictures to be taken. This test will visualize the heart and it's vessels, how the blood enters and leaves the ventricles, can check out stents, and will show any muscle weakness or valve problems.  It will not evaluate the vessels on the outside of the heart.  Hope this helps.

[my3reasonsy]

Thank you for the info. Maybe you can help me with this.  You seem to know a great deal about this subject. I have been through Stress/w thalium, echo, ecg, 24 hr. holtor, and ekg to check my heart.  I have bouts of pain only during exercise that happen about 2 times a week.  I workout 5 days.  The pain is squeezing, burning and lasts about 2-4 minutes.  Don't always have to stop, just slow way down. All test normal, except holtor showed heart rate at 200 during workout, at which time I was experiencing pain. The stress test was stoped at 9 min. as I reached the max rate of 151. I am not sure if this test would accurately pick up what is happening to me as I did't experience the pain.  I don't have the pain until at least 15 minutes into a workout.  Do you think a PET stress test would be more accurate, and/or wearing an event monitor? I am not sure if there is any concern for the pain I have, it seems to be just that my heart rate goes so high.  Cardio has me taking 25mg toprol and baby asprin daily. Says if this does not work I would need to go on a stronger med.  Last night in my spin class I felt my heart race and then a thump, I must have looked bad, because my instructor came over and checked my pulse.  She was worried as it would beat normal for about 10 beats then speed way up and then just seem to stop.  Repeating over and over for 2 minutes.  Heart rate at 15 minutes into very hard class was only 83.  That's why I think that it was way up and dropped too quickly. Just curious as to what you might think is going on.  Thank you!

[Duchess47]

Have you tried an event monitor?  You wear this monitor for usually 2 weeks.  It is like a mobile EKG machine.  When you experience any problems you push a button which records the event.  Once there are about 5 of these, call the number you have been given and dowload the informaion to the cardiac personnel.  Unless there is cause for alarm, the results will be reviewed at the end of the 2 weeks by your cardiologist.  This way, when you are exercising and have an event, it will be caught on the machine.

[my3reasonsy]

Thank you for the information.  I'll have to talk to my cardiologist about having an event monitor.  That certainly sounds like what I need to do next.  The toprol does seem to be slowing my heart rate, but I still, sometimes get the pain.  Thanks again!

[star queen]

Both an event monitor and a PET scan are good ideas to try. Ask you doctor for an EKG to check the electrical status of your heart. The pain you are experiencing at high heart rates is caused by a lack of oxygen. The heart is racing to the point that it's need for oxygen is greater than the supply and you get pain.  When you slow down the oxygen levels rise and the pain goes away. If this continues you can suffer from a "mini heart attack" which is without symptoms, but can leave heart damage.  Try reducing your workout and try breathing more.  When you reach the point that you are breathing hard or panting, slow down and do some belly breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, gradually lengthening the breaths until your heart slows down and your breathing is easier.  Avoid breathing while bending downward. Stand or sit up straight and belly breathe.  Bending over when panting actually pushes air out of the lungs and prevents deep breathing, giving the body less oxygen.  You may become dizzy, visual "spots", experience nausea, muscle weakness, headaches, difficulty "catching" your breath and  get a burning sensation in the chest. good luck

[my3reasonsy]

Thank you for explaining this to me. I guess that is why my cardiologist is concerned about slowing the heart rate down.  I have just been looking for a cause for the pain and what you have said makes perfect sense.  Thanks again for your help.

[Duchess47]

It is scary to think that if you get pain in your chest when you exercise it is from cardiac related issue and you can have a mini heart attack.  I posted your reply to the heart forum for more information.  I, too have had pain in chest while exercising but never showed any past heart attack on EKG.

[Coldy]

I started the other thread with this subject: "High heart rate during exercize" and after reading the comments in this one, I decided to ask my MD. He is a healthy living guru and cycles extensively. I told him my blood pressure and resting heart rate (57) are extremly low, but my exercize heart rate is extremely high (175 - 190). His suggestion was strength training. He said a regular routine of lifting weights will strengthen all my muscles including my heart muscles, which should bring my heart rate into a more acceptable range. He also said strength training will also help the occasional knee pain I have when cycling. I hope this helps someone else. I know I have not emphasized strength training at all, even though I know it helps on the ski hill and with my golf swing.

[Duchess47]

You just jogged my memory about something my cardiologist said to me that is important.  When your muscles are weak, then your heart is pumping harder to make them work.  In other words, if you are walking up hill and your heart is pumping hard, that's becuae it is sending much needed blood to your legs.  When you are better conditioned, then your heart rate will be better.

[archicycle]

I've been wondering about this, too. I'm 39, female, very fit- have done gymnastics and bike racing all of my life. My blood pressure is fairly low at 60/100. I live at 8,000 feet. I currently race competetively, and have been training on a computrainer during the winter.  My resting heart rate is mid-50s, and when I exercise my heart rate is sustained at about 180-185, and the max that I've seen doing hard workouts with intervals is 203.  I do not experience pain, but sometimes feel dizziness. It sounds like I'm dealing with the same issue as you. Has the strength training been helping? Are there specific exercises your doctor prescribed?

[tovli]

I also have high heart rate during exercise and low resting heart rate.  Tests report "mild to moderately reduced exercise tolerance", negative EST, rare PACs, normal left vent, no defects, and 65% ejection fraction.   My cardiologist says there is no problem and my physician says ignore my heart monitor.  

For my own understanding, I did a Conconi test to find my actual peak heart rate.  Now, I slow my exercise when I reach 90% of my actual peak heart rate.  I tried the Couch Potato to 5k program (on time not distance) to increase the time before reaching 90% and saw improvement during the first three months.  I quit pushing my limits after six months.  After two years of 30 minutes on the treadmil twice a week, I hit 90% after 20 minutes at 3.2mph, 10 minutes at 4.5mph and 45 seconds at 8mph.  No where near "normal".

I have given up on reaching a minimum "normal for age" Cooper 1.5 mile running test.  After two years I can only get within 30 seconds of the minimum and only if I bust the 90% limit.  To "pass the test" it would require allowing my heart rate to reach and stay at the max for as long as I could stand it.  I would feel sick for two days afterwards and still would not consider myself "normal".

I worry that this "you're fine, no problem" condition is actually evidence that there is a problem or will someday be a problem, and that those of us declared "healthy with high exercise heart rate" are not being tracked and studied.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

I would advise you to do regular physical exercise every day like jogging or running or even a long walk.
You can also try breathing exercises and meditation to relax your mind and rid it off tension and anxiety. Keep us posted!

[tomshet]

I am not a doctor, I am an endurance athlete.  You can reduce your heart rate by following Dr. Phil Maffetone heart rate training.  180 minus your age will be your target training rate.  You will reach this very easily at first.  If you exercise regularly at or below this rate, you will experience cardiovascular adaptation, and in time it will be HARD for you to reach this heart rate.  I trained this way for 1 year, and am 46 years old.  Use to have high rate, now it is tough for me to reach 135 - 140 BPM.  Resting heart rate is also down to 50.  Get his book...heart rate training.  It works.

[NolaD]

Hi all
I read your comments with interest as I too, have an unusually high heart beat when exercising.
I am 59 years old, Have a personal trainer who started me off 1 year ago on a programme of stretching and core muscle building twice a week for an hour for 4 months.  During this time I did 3 weekly work outs aerobically which comprised 20 minutes on a treadmill and 20 minutes on a cycle.  My resting heart rate is 66.  In the beginning I could only keep within the "fat burn zone of 80%" using the cycle on level 1.  The treadmill was also a problem as my heart rate would reach the upper level (150) without much exertion.  

After 4 months of strength training I progressed onto light weights and resistance training.  This I have been doing for 9 months now - increasing the weight as I have progressed.

  With this new programme I have noticed a distinct improvement in my heart rate in most of the aerobic work I do - however, on the elliptical trainer, I still find that it spikes to just short of 160 a minute.  At this stage I am perspiring - but am not in any pain or discomfort at all.  A Cardiologist did an effort ECG and solar scan on my heart and found that there was an imperfection to the "R" wave, but that it was "within normal limits".  I was given a clean bill to continue with my training.

My trainer has discussed my progress with the bio kinetikist at gym - and they have decided that I suffer from Tachycardia - but I am not in agreement with their diagnosis but they are saying that I should try "rate of perceived Exertion" instead of sticking to the Heart rate monitor.  I do not use the monitor anymore whilst training as I get tired of hearing it going off each time I increase above where it perceives my heart rate should be!!!!

Hope someone will offer some advice on the topic.

[runfit]

Can you elaborate on what your heart rate was before you started with the Dr. Phil Maffetone training program? I have been running for couple of years and my heart rate jumps to 160 very easily and then stays in high 160-170 for the entire range of the run. People I am running with on the other hand have heart rate in the 135-145 range so I am really keen on finding a solution.

[LadyLane]

This is the best thread I've come across for answers!  Maybe someone could answer for me specifically too.  I am 30 years, old 5'7, 131 lbs. and have exercised/extreme sports my whole life.  My BP has always been extremely low 60/90 sometimes 50/80, I think that is due to my slight anemia (so I've read).  My HR has always been low 60s.  When I workout/run my HR stays well above 190 range, but drops fairly quickly.  Am I supposed to be concerned?  When I'm on the treadmill I see the chart for HR and I think it's a joke, that's impossible to keep it that low, until I've read everyone's posts.  I never cared before until recently when I felt like I was going to faint while w/o.  Dehydration can do this to you though right?  My only other concern is that lately my resting HR has increased by 20 BPM for a few months now.  Is this something I should look into?  It seems 1/2 are saying it's no big deal, and others say rush to your doctor.  Any thoughts?

[handsome1]

My concern is at the same place as the runners,but the dynamics are different, I weightlift. I'm 50, 5'7" tall, 150 lbs,non smoker,non drinker,I've been trying to gain muscle though weight lifting. The problem is getting my stubborn slim body to grow muscle,I have to hit it hard. The concerning workout is the day I do lower body (squats),they can take a fair bit of exertion,,after an hour of progressively adding weight to the bar, I reach my present limit,about 70 lbs. my body is pretty warmed up at this point but my heart still blasts off from about 110 to about 161bpm in about 20 seconds after 8 reps with a barbell across my shoulders (had an ekg & treadmill done 8 months earlier,all fine) I drink 2 coffee per morning,wondering if the coffee might be hindering my heart rate when pushing it that high, and  wondering if there's any dangers of spiking your heart rate like this,I've read its suppose to be good for you, like 'coldy' suggesting strength training.Wondering if anyone had any input for strength training where the exertion is primarily short bursts.

[HighHeartBeat]

Not to scare anyone - Posting this for somebody qualified to share their point of view on this study  ...here is an article from a highly reputed medical journal on association between sudden deaths among health men

1. High resting heart beat (> 75)
2. No enough jump up in heartbeat while exercising hard (<113)
3. & low drop in heartbeat 1 min after exercise (< 40)

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/352/19/1951

The second point is seems to have surprised the researchers a little ...