My heart rate is always high during a ride. Why?

[KarlvN]

So I am not exactly the fittest guy on the trails, and I am presently pushing 112kg and am 1.90m tall. Every time I go for a ride, my HR idles at around the mid 160bpm and would climb to around a high of 184-188, with the odd 192-194 not uncommon for very short periods of time.

 

Is this normal? Does anyone else have this issue? Also, I am constantly aware of the rhythm of my heart, both at work when just clacking away at my keyboard and when I am at home, even when I lie down. I can just feel my heart beating in my chest all the time.

 

Should I be concerned?

[NelAndre]

Wat sê jou GP?

[KarlvN]

Wat sê jou GP?

 

goeie vraag...

[Disylizzy]

I would think having your heart beat in your chest constantly is a good thing 

 

If it concerns you go check with your Dr.  Some people have naturally high heart rates and others run the revs much lower.

[vintage rider]

had similar concerns, went to see GP did ECG and he said I am fine and can push the limits . no I am reasonably fit and but still at a high heart rate but i recover a lot quicker.

[s14phoenix]

The problem is that your GP might not even know that there is an issue. At rest or in his office your heart might sound fine etc. You may even need further testing - that's if there is something wrong.

 

Just before 94.7 when I was at my fittest I would only see over 180bpm on very very tough sessions and would ave around 150 and peak at 178. Now at 35yo my max according to some calculations is like 185bpm -  when training it was always in the 160-170 and hitting 195 sometimes on hills etc. (not often but mostly 185+/-)  - Also seems I have a high revving heartrate...Everyone is different I suppose and that's why going to see about it is best.

 

Recently after getting lazier over December and loosing fitness I am peaking at 185 and running 160 ave... we all made different but have it properly checked and ECG.

[Paul Ruinaard]

how are you calculating your max HR i.e. what approach are you using.

[lerouc]

My average HR when i ride alone or with my friends is in the 170s and my max is always 188-195. (does not matter whether i ride for 2 hours or 6)

 

When i go for a ride with my wife (in other words, extremely slow) then my HR avg in the mid 150s.

[lerouc]

My average HR when i ride alone or with my friends is in the 170s and my max is always 188-195. (does not matter whether i ride for 2 hours or 6)

 

When i go for a ride with my wife (in other words, extremely slow) then my HR avg in the mid 150s.

o and my resting hear rate (using the hr monitor on a samsung phone so dont know how accurate that really is) is in the 50s have seen it at 50 but for some reason i just can't get it into the 40s.

[Eon du Plessis]

The problem is that your GP might not even know that there is an issue. At rest or in his office your heart might sound fine etc. You may even need further testing - that's if there is something wrong.

 

Just before 94.7 when I was at my fittest I would only see over 180bpm on very very tough sessions and would ave around 150 and peak at 178. Now at 35yo my max according to some calculations is like 185bpm - when training it was always in the 160-170 and hitting 195 sometimes on hills etc. (not often but mostly 185+/-) - Also seems I have a high revving heartrate...Everyone is different I suppose and that's why going to see about it is best.

 

Recently after getting lazier over December and loosing fitness I am peaking at 185 and running 160 ave... we all made different but have it properly checked and ECG.

You can go over your "max" for very short bursts without issue, provided you don't have health issues. What this does though, is starve your heart of oxygen, so working that hard too often isn't a good idea.

Your GP is the right person to speak to and will refer you to someone, should (s) he pick up anything concerning.

 

When I just started cycling, I'd regularly hit the mid to high 190's. As my fitness improved, I tend to peak at 190 now and that's with serious pushing.

[Martin PJ]

I had problems with palpitations etc all the time, went to see a cardiologist. He did every test he could, said I was hundreds and explained everything to me. I felt much better, I would recommend this to anyone if you think there may be something wrong.

[KarlvN]

I have not determined my max HR as I am unsure of a scientifically sound method, i.e. I have been to lazy. I use a Polar V800 with the chest strap thingymabob, and like Pheonix and Lerouc am always revving high, whether I do a single Hoogekraal loop or the Argus.

[DPG]

Go and see a Cardiologist.

Let him/her do ecg at rest and at intervals. Test the lung function as well.

Will cost a bit but your heart and heath you cant mess around with.

You will always have that worry in the back of your mind until you know for sure.

AT 47 I can push my max to 185 without doing  damage and it gives me peace of mind knowing the Quack has okayed it!

[KarlvN]

I have found though that keeping a steady cadence and focusing of proper breathing methods I can somewhat contain high HR levels, especially going uphill.

[Pure Savage]

So I am not exactly the fittest guy on the trails, and I am presently pushing 112kg and am 1.90m tall. Every time I go for a ride, my HR idles at around the mid 160bpm and would climb to around a high of 184-188, with the odd 192-194 not uncommon for very short periods of time.

 

Is this normal? Does anyone else have this issue? Also, I am constantly aware of the rhythm of my heart, both at work when just clacking away at my keyboard and when I am at home, even when I lie down. I can just feel my heart beating in my chest all the time.

 

Should I be concerned?

 

That should be fine, the fitter you get the lower it goes. Two years ago in the Argus, 2:52 average heart rate 174bpm, this year 2:52 average heart rate 155bpm.

 

112kg is probably not helping your heart rate either, my old man at 191cm is sitting at 86kg, his heart rate has also decreased on rides now. 

[Skubarra]

You are probably fine but like the others say, if you are worried go to the doctor, you have nothing to loose but a few bucks but a whole lot to gain if something is wrong. Our hearts are not something we should be messing around with. Heart attacks & heart problems are not uncommon for cyclists and you often don't get a warning before things go wrong(speaking of personal experience), rather get some assurance from a professional of what is normal for you and when things are out of the range of normality, at the very least you will put your mind at ease that you don't start stressing every time your heart rate spikes.