Re: Rapid Heart Rate

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Douglas wrote in article
<1122347899.079303.253490@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

>This is a problem that has gotten worse in the last couple years and it
>has been gradual. I am 48 yrs old and cycle about 50 miles a week. I
>have noted that my heart rate goes to 100% of max and over (170 to 190
>bpm) in as little as 5 minutes of low exertion cycling.

Something wrong here. Nobody can go above their maximum heart rate - by
definition, if you get a higher rate than you calculate, estimate, or
expect, that means your calculation, estimation, or expectation is
wrong. The number is what it is.

If you've used one of the popular "formulas" for estimating MHR be
advised that they fit populations, not individuals, and many individuals
have maximums on one side or the other of the mean estimated maximum.

OTOH, the rapid rise suggests a visit to your cardiologist, particularly
if there have been no major changes to the distance and speed of your
rides. Two extra years by themselves shouldn't make that much of a
change.

> I have dropped
>out of my local group because I can't keep up if I want to stay within
>a normal range and this puts me at a crawl. When I stop my heart rate
>will drop to ~120 within a minute but will stay there for as much as 2
>to 3 hrs later. All these patterns are constant and predictable. When
>all this first started, I would cycle and train more to reverse the
>trend but working out did not accomplish this, but has steadily gotten
>worse. I had an EKG with my annual physical and it was normal. I have
>also noticed that when I bend over, my heart rate and blood pressure
>seem to go higher than you would normally expect.My normal resting rate
>is good at ~60 bpm and resting BP at 120/76. I've noticed shortness of
>breath on single flights of steps and never had this before. Any
>consideration would be appreciated. I have discussed all this with
>members of my cycling group and have compared all the above parameters
>with theirs and my patterns are definetly abnormal.Doug

If your heart has tested okay it's time to consider, with your doctor,
what other factors may be at work.
--
Don Kirkman
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Rapid Heart Rate
    ... > also noticed that when I bend over, my heart rate and blood pressure ... > seem to go higher than you would normally expect.My normal resting rate ... Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: Rapid Heart Rate
    ... I am 48 yrs old and cycle about 50 miles a week. ... > also noticed that when I bend over, my heart rate and blood pressure ... > seem to go higher than you would normally expect.My normal resting rate ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Rapid Heart Rate
    ... I am 48 yrs old and cycle about 50 miles a week. ... also noticed that when I bend over, my heart rate and blood pressure ... seem to go higher than you would normally expect.My normal resting rate ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)