Are there wide variations in Heart Rates?

[SelfHelpFitGuy]

Hi

I am 56years old, 5' 6" and about 72kg so in reasonable shape. Just getting back into an exercise routine after tearing a calf muscle a few months back playing soccer.

I recently bought a Heart Rate Monitor which basically using the accepted methodology tells me 220 less age 56 = Max Heart rate of 164 right?

Well I did a 20min session on a stationery bike (at asimilar level of exertion to what I would do any other time) and heart rate (according to the monitor) climbed to 140 without any real effort and when I did push it went over 170 then 180 then 190 up to a max of 209 and yet I felt I was on about 70% exertion. I felt no pressure or discomfort so figured maybe I had misunderstood the chart or the monitor was faulty so kept going. Basically the reading was above 170 the whole time I was exercising. (Then I remembered way back some 20yrs ago, last time I had a Heart Rate monitor it would beep at me almost as soon as I started running to say I was exceeding the fitness workout zone.)

After I finished workout I came online and confirmed the charts suggest 164 max. I have exercised again since and on the bike heart rate goes way up. (although I did not let it go as high this time). At this stage I dont think the monitor is faulty.

So I am wondering should I be joining the X-Men as a mutant, should I be buying Funeral Insurance or is it fairly common that some people have very rapid heart rates when exercising??

Cheers
SelfHelp Fitness Guy

[Boss Man]

The standard calculation for max heart rate is 220-age, so 164 would be the calculation.

You seem to have a much higher heart rate, which may be indicative of something else going on.

You would be affecting your blood pressure if you consume Caffeine, (it constricts blood vessels) and also if your salt consumption is high. obivously things like Atheromas and arterial plaque play their part as well, but the salt and caffeine may be things to watch out for, depending on what you eat and drink.

Heart rate monitors however should be used as a guide, just like electronic calorie calculators, but if your concerned, consider a physician consultation to be on the safe side and maybe a cholesterol test and a Blood Pressure check as well.

You might, depending on your countries regulations, find a CT is something not covered by a basic checkup and may have to be paid for, but I'd suspect a BP is standard.

[ultimatehlth]

What type of monitor did you buy? Only the chest strap type work. Make sure it is correctly applied, it it is not you can get double heartbeats and therefore an incorrect reading. That being said the HR formula is an average, so deviation is common, but not the numbers you are talking about.

[malandi87]

Something is really going on maybe in your body condition itself or in the monitor you are using. Try using other types of monitor as suggested by ultimatehlth. The numbers that you mentioned are very high.

[Jentry07]

While heart rate monitors are very effective for workouts helping you to stay within your range, they are not always needed. I actually just read a great article on the subject just the other day http://www.nordictrackcoupons.com/blog/ ... e-monitor/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It explains that you can also go by listening to your body and knowing when you are pushing it too far beyond exertion and need to pull back or when you can push a little more. Yet if you are new to fitness and are not yet sure of your capabilities heart rate monitors are great motivators and helping you not to push yourself too far. I agree with ultimatehlth as chest straps are the best kind and you should opt for one of those!

If you are concerned about this you should talk to your doctor and they'll probably have you do a treadmill stress test to see what is going on!