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

[Stretch]

how old are you? that makes a difference as I know youngsters that can avg 170+ for a few hours

 

you are slightly on the heavier side - even for you 6ft 3 frame..so your heart needs to do a bit of work moving you around

 

I'm 40 and average anything from 145 to close to 170 for running activities..and I would classify myself as fit. on flats i will drop to 120/130

 

If you are pushing 160's while free-wheeling or flattish terrain I would say that too high..and go see someone

 

could also be stress or oncoming sickness too

[Hennie VR]

How do you feel when you push 185bpm and up? If you feel chest pains then you should probably worry. If you only feel tired and out of breath because of the effort your putting in then your probably fine.

 

Also if your heart rhythm seems odd it's also wise to have it checked out. 

 

Go see a sports doctor and put your heart at easy   

[eccc whippet]

Was rushed to the ER thought i was having a heart attack a while back...turns out it was just 3 dislocated ribs...why i am telling you this is because many people including myself thought that when you are having a heart attack you get a pain in the left chest...

 

i was told by the heart specialist and others who have experienced a heart attack...if you get a pain across your chest from left to right chances are you not gona die but might need a stent inserted.

 

if your throat gets sore and your jaw locks up and you cant talk...chances are you gona need a bypass...the best way to check if a person is experiencing an heart attack is to ask them to say their name...if they cant...best you get the person to the hospital fast. 

 

high ldl cholesterol (bad) is a silent killer.

 

last year October...after doing my 20 min threshold test there were concerns that i need to get my heart checked out...so i visited the Quak (GP) he told me that if i could push my heart rate for 20 min at 50 years old i should be fine...i completed 5 weeks of power training. 

 

tomorrow i start another 8 weeks...lets what the heart rate monitor indicates.

[Cadre]

goeie vraag...

Get to you GP pronto. It could be anything from Hypertension to something less or more serious. Your family will thank you for seeing the GP. Don't just write if off as a weight, age or lifestyle issue. Best wishes. 

[Maniax]

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?

 

 

Seems quite normal to me.  My ave is 167bpm on a ride.

[Bloukrans]

Go see Dr Wouter Basson at Panorama to put your mind at ease

 

I still think the Hub's opinion on these matter is more "official"  and binding

[KarlvN]

Hi all,

 

thanks for the varied feedback. From what I read it seems that many people are in my bracket.

 

I am turning 40 in July, so I reckon it's a good idea to have that dreaded checkup regardless. I am not exactly hurting when I push the high HR, it's just that I get tired easily at that rate. I have only twice felt like passing out, and both times were climbing the Contermans Kloof mast ascent. nowadays I just get off and walk it off.

 

Earlier this year while going up Hillcrest I felt dizzy all the way up, and stopped at the top to rest and eat some. Thereafter I felt much better.

[Martin PJ]

Go see Dr Wouter Basson at Panorama to put your mind at ease

 

I still think the Hub's opinion on these matter is more "official"  and binding

 

The Hub has spoken, make the appointment.

[Halfdoesyn]

I went to my GP with the exact same concerns. He says that whatever your "theoretical" maximum HR is, you have a genetic factor that may dictate a slower or faster than "normal" HR.

 

I had a resting and stress EKG done before the CTCT, and was given the all clear. Averaged 150bpm over the 6:33 it took me to complete the tour. I still think it is high, although it will probably come down as my fitness level goes up.

 

Point is: Go see a doctor, if only to put your mind at ease.

[spyster]

So glad to hear that I am not the only 40 year old out there with a "higher" than all your mates heart rate. My mates make fun of my high average heart rate - who needs enemies????

 

Had it checked by cardiologist, he said I'm fine as long as the recovery rate remains good so I just keep on pedalling. One advantage is that I tend to warm up faster than most of the other guys - dunno whether the heart rate has anything to do with that. 

[mtbride]

Did a hard and fast 25km yesterday and ave. was 158 with a max of 175. Think my max is something in the region of 185, but I almost never go there. Ride with a HRM so I always keep an eye on it. 40 years old. My resting is approx. 48, have not been able to get it much lower than that. Also, how quickly does yours drop off again, say after 2 min. from near max. ?

[KarlvN]

One advantage is that I tend to warm up faster than most of the other guys - dunno whether the heart rate has anything to do with that. 

 

Does this also lead to excessive perspiration, Spyster? I sweat like a pig on steroids when I ride, to the point of embarrassment when I enter a coffee shop and see other riders all looking fresh and chillaxed. Either they are posers who pretend to be riding, or I'm the only rider actually pushing it (I keep telling myself), or I am EXTREMELY unfit and they make me look bad. Usually the "wet look" (sounds better than sweat drenched pig look) also goes hand in hand with a very red complexion in my face.

 

Perhaps I should go see a doctor.

 

[lerouc]

Does this also lead to excessive perspiration, Spyster? I sweat like a pig on steroids when I ride, to the point of embarrassment when I enter a coffee shop and see other riders all looking fresh and chillaxed. Either they are posers who pretend to be riding, or I'm the only rider actually pushing it (I keep telling myself), or I am EXTREMELY unfit and they make me look bad. Usually the "wet look" (sounds better than sweat drenched pig look) also goes hand in hand with a very red complexion in my face.

 

Perhaps I should go see a doctor.

 

We must really ride together again! Lets just say when i do an interval session in the gym they bring out a machine that looks like a Zamboni Machine they use during half time in the NHL.  Personally i walk away with a smile because it felt like i did a much harder workout than the guy sitting next to me. 

[s14phoenix]

So on the topic of seeing a doctor or someone to give you the truth about it all... Is there a place to go do all this stress test stuff and ECG etc where you can book to go and then have this done without seeing your GP or being referred to a specialist that wants to empty your bank account?

[Halfdoesyn]

So on the topic of seeing a doctor or someone to give you the truth about it all... Is there a place to go do all this stress test stuff and ECG etc where you can book to go and then have this done without seeing your GP or being referred to a specialist that wants to empty your bank account?

 

My GP can do the stress EKG, but I know you can go to certain cardiologists without a referral. I know with Dr Wouter Basson you can make an appointment and go, but be prepared to wait if it's not urgent.

 

Don't know any cardiologists up in Gauteng, let alone "affordable" ones...

[KarlvN]

We must really ride together again! Lets just say when i do an interval session in the gym they bring out a machine that looks like a Zamboni Machine they use during half time in the NHL.  Personally i walk away with a smile because it felt like i did a much harder workout than the guy sitting next to me. 

 

 

Whahaha..EXACTLY!

 

We should arrange a ride sometime. This weekend I am off to the Garden Route for some Garden Route Trail Park fun before heading off to the folks in the Kammannasie.