General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Max heart rate too high? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2011-01-11 11:44 PM

User image

Regular
107
100
Subject: Max heart rate too high?
So I read an article here on BT today about using heart rate for training. It stated that your resting heart rate will in most cases go down as your fitness level increase but your max heart rate will generally not change from your fitness, but your age. My question is that I have in several cases had my heart rate over 203 using my garmin 305. I am 21 y/o and in good health, is a Max heart rate this high just a individual thing? Is having a max heart rate this high bad?

Edited by Kestrel4me 2011-01-12 12:04 AM


2011-01-12 12:08 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Veteran
277
100100252525
The Nation's Frosty Capital
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
Heart rate formulas are not very accurate.
Try a real teast with professionals if you are concerned.
I measured in at 18 bpm above my  formulaice heartbeat max this month.
2011-01-12 12:31 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Master
2563
20005002525
University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
If you have other heart issues, see a doc. But if it's just a matter of going a hair over 200, at age 21, then that's no cause for concern. There seems to be just a lot of individual differences in maximum heart rate, in addition to the well known age effect. My max is slightly below 200, which is higher than normal for a 43-year old. But I've learned from occasional threads on these forums that there are plenty of others in a similar situation.
2011-01-12 12:37 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Coach
9167
5000200020001002525
Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
Kestrel4me - 2011-01-11 10:44 PM
s a Max heart rate this high just a individual thing? Is having a max heart rate this high bad?


Q 1: Yes
Q 2: No
2011-01-12 9:17 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Veteran
128
10025
in the land of hills
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
I posted a similar question on this board when I first came to BT. I was counting the old fashioned way with fingers on my neck or wrist. I was concerned because I was counting up to 40 beats in 10 secs, so I figured I was doing something wrong...which I was, over counting.

I got a HR monitor and it is not uncommon for me to see low 200s. The highest I have ever seen is 220 during a 10K race that I pushed to my absolute max.

It is all individual and changes with age and fitness.
2011-01-12 10:07 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Expert
898
500100100100252525
Plano, National Capital Region
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
watch out for glitches on the Garmin HR monitor. I will see it spike up especially in the first 5-10 minutes of the workout. I think it's related to whether it's wet enough (supposed to wet it before wearing) and whether you are wearing a loose shirt that causes static and messes up with the readings.  I disregard my garmin HR for the first mile usually unless I've warmed up well and already pretty sweaty.  I see this happen more often in cooler/dryer weather (which makes sense for static) and less in the summer.

Edited by m2tx 2011-01-12 10:31 AM


2011-01-12 10:10 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Veteran
667
5001002525
asheville, nc
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
I wouldn't worry too much, i was in a race when i was about 28, and during the swim i saw my HR jump up to 205, there was a lot of jostling, fighting, even got punched by someone).  It dropped back down pretty fast, but it'll happen. Everyone is different.
2011-01-12 10:13 AM
in reply to: #3293876


13

Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
I have had the same problem with my herat rate monitor.  I thought that I had some kind of a problem and needed to see a doctor.  Truth was that the heart rate monitor needed a new battery.  I have also read an article in runnersworld I think that said that in the winter the monitor did not make good contact with out using the gell and would sometimes pick up static from certain types of clothing like dry fit.
2011-01-12 10:21 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Pro
5361
50001001001002525
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
a little over 200 for your age isn't even all that high.

perhaps you've got some canary in your blood.
2011-01-12 10:29 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Regular
107
100
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
Thanks for the replys, I had assumed it was more of an individual thing. A good friend of mine who I run with never seems to get above 190 on our hard runs, he is also 21.
2011-01-12 11:00 AM
in reply to: #3293876

Extreme Veteran
368
1001001002525
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
Max HR is very much a personal thing. I'm 32, and i've regularly seen a max HR of 193 for myself. my max HR does not go up along with fitness level, but where i see the increased fitness is seeing lower HR for the same activity/exertion. my 10:00/mile run HR has decreased from 175 to 167, and I find it much harder to get the last 10-15 BPM out. Another big one to show your increased fit level, is how much your BPM decreases during your rest/recovery in a workout. If you're resting HR was very high, then you'd have reason to be concerned, and really want to see a doc (tachycardia is a bad thing).


2011-01-12 11:17 AM
in reply to: #3293876

User image

Pro
5361
50001001001002525
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
A HR of 203 on your 305 ain't bad.
but if you had a HR of 305 on your 203, that would be another story.
2011-01-13 8:23 AM
in reply to: #3293876


15

Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
When I started running with a HRM, I would see a spike to over 220 on occasion! I changed the batteries etc and it still occurred. Saw a cardiologist and determined I had an exercise induced arrhythmia (the HRM was right). It was cured with an cathader ablation.

The point here is if your heart rate races significantly over your estimated max, you may have an issue to be checked.

Don't hesitate to see a cardiologist if you feel something is not right. If you have to opportunity, look for an arrhythmia specialist with some background with athletes.

One more thing, the docs had a hard time triggering my arrhythmia (a PVST for those who know arrhythmia issues). I did a number of stress tests but the techs would never get my HR high enough. Finally I got the doc to agree to me setting the pace and incline druing the stress test and I was able to trigger it.

-Old Ag
2011-01-13 10:00 AM
in reply to: #3296606

User image

Master
2406
2000100100100100
Bellevue, WA
Subject: RE: Max heart rate too high?
Old Ag - 2011-01-13 6:23 AM The point here is if your heart rate races significantly over your estimated max, you may have an issue to be checked.

Don't hesitate to see a cardiologist if you feel something is not right. If you have to opportunity, look for an arrhythmia specialist with some background with athletes.


I had a coworker that was starting out run training, and when she told me her HRM numbers I was quite surprised.  Resting heart rate of 70, but just walking the office would push it past 90.  Then any sort of running pushed it to 130 in a moment, then it seemed to stabilize.  At my urging she saw a doctor, and long story short she does have a minor heart thing that they could correct but she chose not to and it has no significant impact other than she has a higher HR than most when running.

Heart rate numbers vary a lot, both resting, average, and max.  It is generally true, however, that a high heart rate when doing moderate exercise is indicative of poor overall conditioning more than anything else.  It will generally drop with training.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Max heart rate too high? Rss Feed