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

[KarlvN]

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...

 

Is this THE Dr Wouter Basson?

[CharlesZ]

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?

If you are a vitality member. Perfect for you, will always get the most points you can ear on the set time period training session

[Halfdoesyn]

Is this THE Dr Wouter Basson?

 

Indeed.

 

He has a large practice behind the Durbanville Mediclinic.

[JXV]

You wouldn't ask your doc for bike maintenance tips so asking us about medical advice might not be the best idea - even if our intentions are good.

 

Your BMI puts you in the obese range. Your age, blood pressure, drinking habits, smoking (if you do), diet, any diseases and hereditary factors all play a part in the possible stresses on your heart so it is best to get this all checked by a GP to begin with. The GP is competent to decide if you need to see a specialist.

[Wannabe]

Indeed.

 

He has a large practice behind the Durbanville Mediclinic.

 

 

Still one of the best Cardiologist in the country.

[Wannabe]

As an off, in 2014 I did an Killarney session at an avg of 177bpm, with a max of 188bpm. Had an EKG last year as part of my annual checkup, and Dr said my heart is 100% healthy.

I'm turning 51 next month, and still gets my max HR into the 180's without problem.

[Halfdoesyn]

As an off, in 2014 I did an Killarney session at an avg of 177bpm, with a max of 188bpm. Had an EKG last year as part of my annual checkup, and Dr said my heart is 100% healthy.

I'm turning 51 next month, and still gets my max HR into the 180's without problem.

 

Just goes to show the 220 - age = max HR theory is just that - a theory. Many other factors to consider.

[Frosty]

Below are summaries from 2 rides. One a race (116km) and another a training ride (142.5km). Both were in very windy conditions and both were sitting on the front or 2nd - 5th wheel.

 

Funny thing is: the one I averaged 171bpm and felt fine afterwards, whereas the 146bpm ride felt like I hit more than just the wall - I can still feel the 146bpm ride from Saturday in my legs.

 

[KingTJ]

All i can say is the interweb does not have the answer you are looking for..... except go see a doctor

[Eon du Plessis]

Below are summaries from 2 rides. One a race (116km) and another a training ride (142.5km). Both were in very windy conditions and both were sitting on the front or 2nd - 5th wheel.

 

Funny thing is: the one I averaged 171bpm and felt fine afterwards, whereas the 146bpm ride felt like I hit more than just the wall - I can still feel the 146bpm ride from Saturday in my legs.

 

You were low on carbs on the longer ride, it seems. Were you fueling properly?

[MichyC]

As the others have said, safer to go see a doc and get an ECG if you are concerned. I have had a 'racing pulse' and palpatations on and off, but ECG reads normally.

I am much shorter and lighter than you, but also not as fit as I could be . My ave for Argus was 161 and max 185.

[lerouc]

So on another note, my parents live up in namibia but have a house in the cape. Dad still building onto it even though he is 60. (he is actually quite fit) got diagnosed with diabetes 5 years ago and since has dropped quite a bit of weight as well.

 

He used to cycle when they still lift in SA and he was quite fit. (lets just say he brags every now and then about averaging in the high 30s on his road bike) but has not done this in a good couple of years.

 

Anyways the few days before heading back to Nam (dad still does the 14hour drive in the dark) he complains he is not feeling well. But as harregat as any afrikaans older gentleman is and not wanting to admit he is not well and go see a doc he tuffs it out. He says he just carried a heavy scaffolding plank and he probably just hurt a muscle.

 

Eventually trying to keep my parents together after a 40 odd year marriage i got a doc out to go see him at his house in Gansbaai. I told the doc you just send me the bill and check that everything is okay. He went out, i got a *** out call while the doc was there from my dad but convinced him that he must do it for my mother as she is not climbing with him in the bakkie for the drive back until he is checked out.

 

The doc gives him a clear bill of health and confirms he probably only over worked himself. So off they start driving back to Nam. The trip that he usually does in one evening max 14 hours took them 3 days and they had to stay over 2 nights. My father is not lekker, they get home in Nam and off to his GP they go in Gobabis. The doc did one or two tests and he is "rushed" (in namibian speak that is 12 hours later) to hospital and he is lying in ICU in windhoek where one of his arteries has narrowed to the fact that its barely getting blood through.

 

Got s stent and was out in a couple of days. Still can't be on his legs for more than a couple of hours at a time then he has to rest. I wanted to go to the initial doc that saw him down in SA and give him a donnerse goeie pakslae because he cost me a bit of money for the house call and even took a mobile ECG machine with but didn't bother to use it as he thought my dad was fine. But it could have ended in my dad having an heart attack.

 

Even though he was very harregat, listen to your own body, you know when something is not right. If you can push yourself do it, if all of a sudden you feel something "different" LISTEN! Also for us unfitter, not in your "normal" BMI, even though thats the kakest thing to look at but thats a topic for another day, its maybe wise to have more regular checkups than normal "healthy" looking people.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I just had my cholesterol checked the other day, why? because that is what you should be doing, more so if you hit the 40 mark (I'm 41 this year), I rev low and my resting is 42 bpm, hardly hit 185 bpm.  Go have the full monty checked out. Then you know where you stand. Cholesterol is the silent killer.

 

Check, blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

 

Be 100% sure, might be nothing after all

[VicanZA]

looks like u got the points in the bag for the discovery targets! 

 

Maybe you should just calm down.

[spyster]

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.

 

 

I get pretty darn sweaty. Pig on steroids - not quite. I think I am pretty much on par with the other guys on the sweat-o-meter!

[Wannabe]

looks like u got the points in the bag for the discovery targets! 

 

Maybe you should just calm down.

 

 

One of the reasons I'm not complaining.

Will get max points on most rides.