elevated pulse

[mcare]

I am 29 years old, play sport regularly (3 times a week minimum), participate in fun runs (5-10 km) and fall within a healthy weight range. I have a healthy diet, drink alcohol occasionally and do not smoke.

On my last two visits to the doctor to collect scripts he has measured my resting pulse and blood pressure. On both occasions (some 9 months apart) he has informed me that my resting heart rate is 110 beats per minute.

Should I regard this as a cause for concern?

[Autumnx1003]

You sound a lot like me, same age, good weight, no real bad habits...except that I am not nearly as active as youa re.  Everytime I go to the dr, they freak when they see my HR. I always have to assure them that I am extremely nervous when I'm there (I have an anxiety disorder), and that my numbers will be high.  Still...the last time I went, my HR was 133 and my BP was 127/92.  The nurse was disturbed to say the least!  I have had a normal EKG and a 48 hour holter this year because I keep feeling like my HR is too fast, but all my tests have came back normal, and I'm told it all a prodcut of my anxiety (which is good, but als frustrating).  I take my HR at home a lot now, though, and I know that resting it is usually 70-90bpm.  So...that is relieving, since I know that I dont have the super high pulse most of the time. One thing that I have been told, too, is that some people just have naturally higher heart rates.  My aunt has been to the Dr many times because of palpitations and racing pulse, and her cardiologist just says her heart has an extra spark plug...so, go figure ☺

PLease let us know what you find out...I would be curious myself, cause I'm always looking for answers as to why I do very few unhealthy things, yet have a fast heart rate...

[MAB22]

110 does sound high.  Should be at least lower than 100, preferably 75-85, or lower.  Well conditioned athletes have low resting heart rates, maybe 50-60.  I would at least get resting heart rate into 80's if I were you.  Sounds like you are overtraining a bit.  I would check out Sally Edward's book on Heart Zone Training, as overtraining can drive up your resting heart rate.  Go on more long walks or ease up on the 5-10 k runs.  Take this seriously, as you get older, they may put you on medication to lower heart rate and that is a whole new world.  I was put on 25 mg Atenolol over 1 year ago for high resting heart rate.  I never knew this was a problem.  I am 44 yo male.  I went to physical's every year and Dr. never said this was a concern.  I was turned down from giving blood once, because resting heart rate was too high.  Then I got sick summer '07', spent 2 1/2 weeks bedwritten and was referred to cardiologist, as when went to Dr. had resting heart rate 140.  They did diagnose me with inappropriate sinus tachycardia and said my heart rate went up abnormally, perhaps due to stress.  But I think heart rate was up from overtraining, as I lifted heavy and did not do enough cardio.  Most Dr.'s do no know enough about exercise to help.  Check out that book by Sally E.  Hope everything works out.