Sort of related in that it was getting fit for alpine hunting that got me back into running again 2years ago. I'm 43, fit, low blood pressure and have been pretty fit since 21.

I recently bought a heart monitor as I find it extremely difficult to count my heart rate when it approaches 3beats per minute.

Resting heart rate is 48, running at my natural rate I operate in the high 170s and my max heart rate taken in extreme effort is between 196 to 199. This seems very high but I feel OK after it...

Seems this is outside the normal range - anything to worry about.

I'm not a doctor of any kind, but I can assure you that a heart rate at 196 is very high. Having said that, it is typically difficult for unfit persons to get their heart rates that high at all, unless during a heart attack! I would say based on your resting heart rate which is superlative, that you are very fit. The obvious thing is, see YOUR doctor before doing an excercise program or diet.


Good Luck on your program and your hunt.

I'm 56,and reasonably fit, last Dec. I was diagnosed with atrial fib. they told me the atriums were beating at 300 beats per min! The lower chambers were beating normally. I have been "converted" electrically 2 months ago. I am as normal now as i can be . but it was a scary experience

First of all, the heart monitor may be picking up artifact from your running. If you don't feel weak, dizzy, excessively short of breath or get chest pain or tightness with exercise, it's quite unlikely that there is something wrong with your heart that should prohibit exercise. You might try stopping and checking your pulse immediately for 15 seconds and then multiply by 4 to find out what your pulse rate really is.

I always love the advice to "see your doctor before doing an exercise program or diet." You can die during exercise as well as while doing quite a number of other things. Far more people have died from lack of exercise and the things that go with it like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. As far as diet is concerned, the proper diet is well documented in lay literature as well as in medical literature. Ideally, we would all be vegetarians and wouldn't smoke or drink alcohol. It's funny, by the way, how many smokers are concerned that exercise may kill them.

In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart are contracting in an uncoordinated haphazzard fashion. If the heart conduction system is normal and the subject isn't on medication, the ventricles beat very fast and irregularly. Unless there is an accessory pathway, the ventricles and pulse generally aren't much over 160 to 170 beats per minute in uncontrolled atrial fibrillation.

quote:

Originally posted by 1894mk2:
Sort of related in that it was getting fit for alpine hunting that got me back into running again 2years ago. I'm 43, fit, low blood pressure and have been pretty fit since 21.

I recently bought a heart monitor as I find it extremely difficult to count my heart rate when it approaches 3beats per minute.

Resting heart rate is 48, running at my natural rate I operate in the high 170s and my max heart rate taken in extreme effort is between 196 to 199. This seems very high but I feel OK after it...

Seems this is outside the normal range - anything to worry about.

First, (and I say this with all advice), you should seek the opinion of your own cardiolist.

BUT, if your heart rate is up but your are asymptomatic, I wouldn't worry about it at all. I spoke with my ENT friend tonight about another matter and we discussed your post. He wanted me to inform you to definitely rest and let us take your place wherever you planned on hunting.

He is 33, about 160 pounds, and his heart rate reaches 190 with exercise. No worries as long as no symptoms.

But I still like his advice, just stay home, take care of yourself, and we'll do the huntin.

Thanks gents. I will see my GP shortly just to check. Tonight I'll tend the BBQ and pound steak rather than the pavement.

quote:

Originally posted by 1894mk2:
I recently bought a heart monitor as I find it extremely difficult to count my heart rate when it approaches 3beats per minute.

That's because you're as near death as you could possibly be.

Not a doctor, however, I am a certified fitness trainer and part time aerobics/spinning instructor of 7 years. I would recommend that you exercise at a slower pace to reduce your heart rate. At a rate of 180+, you are recieveing zero aerobic benefit and are in an anerobic state. If this happens when running, slow down and keep your heart rate between 130 and 150. This will build your aerobic base and endurance. As you get the base built up, you can push harder without driving up the heart rate and your endurance will be better.

back when I was running for sheep hunting and training for a marathon, I exercised religously with a heart rate monitor. I have hit 213 (think I hit over that one time, but it has been 3 years and I forget, but I am 100% positive about the 213 reading), with resting rate between 40-45. This was with different monitors, and all of them read the same rates.

When I asked a doctor about it he said that while it sure was not average, it was normal and not to worry. If you train by time and heartrate, then having a very high maximum gives you more flexability. I had several friends who ran marathons and they were all jealous of me.