Resting vs. Max heart rate

[ladybug]

Thanks for the great responses! I just mostly became worried cause I was at a health fair the other day and told the lady about my HR and she said that is how people go into cardiac arrest and why most heart attacks happen at the gym! So, that really freaked me out.

I've tried to check my O2 while running, but with a portable pulse ox, it has always given me "error" readings since I'm not keeping my hand steady enough for a good reading. I've not had this test done at my doc cause I live 400 miles from my doc and usually try to get every possible test when I'm there every 4 months and running isn't usually too attractive after a morning of tests. I also usually run at elevation of 2500 and my clinic is at 5000 ft. Plus, I always run late in the afternoon, whereas any test I'd do at clinic would be VERY close to when I took my abluterol, and we all know what that means! LOL

.... So, its something I will bring up to them to test it while I run for 20 minutes, but with all the variables, I don't know how accurate THEIR test would be. Plus, when they've tested my o2 in the past when I've been inpatient on a treadmill, they've also just used a portable pulse ox... Are those accurate (or even possible) when you're swinging your hands/arms??

Thanks!!!

 

[kybert]

i understand your worry sonia. my heart rate is the same as yours. 100 to 120 resting, around 180 exercising. my resting heart rate bothers me more. i know its not supposed to be that high.

 

[kybert]

i understand your worry sonia. my heart rate is the same as yours. 100 to 120 resting, around 180 exercising. my resting heart rate bothers me more. i know its not supposed to be that high.

 

[kybert]

i understand your worry sonia. my heart rate is the same as yours. 100 to 120 resting, around 180 exercising. my resting heart rate bothers me more. i know its not supposed to be that high.

 

[Jade]

I went to the ER in january and my heart rate was insane. I'm surprised my heart didn't jump out of my chest and go running across the floor like that scene in the first alien movie. My HR has always been a little high though.

 

[Jade]

I went to the ER in january and my heart rate was insane. I'm surprised my heart didn't jump out of my chest and go running across the floor like that scene in the first alien movie. My HR has always been a little high though.

 

[Jade]

I went to the ER in january and my heart rate was insane. I'm surprised my heart didn't jump out of my chest and go running across the floor like that scene in the first alien movie. My HR has always been a little high though.

 

[mom2lillian]

I also have issues with this.

WHen I used to run, also before my dx I was taking an aerobics class for college and they taught us to do resting HR then we had to bring that in and then do HR readings during class manually and the instructor almost croaked after we ran a mile and I did mine.

I also feel good when my active HR is 'higher' than it should be. My resting HR has decreased to the 60's now that I am more active but when excercising I let it get to 170 which is hgiher than I am 'supposed' to per what you read etc, I try not to get it above 165 as I am worried about enlarging my heart.

All the stuff I read if I keep my HR there I dont feel I am getting a tru workout and I have never known if I am a glutton for punishment or if it is due to the lungs? I have good 02 sats even when sick so I am not worried about that part I also dont get any signs of o2 deprivation.

I think a HR monitor by polar is a wise investment for any of us. I am signed up for a few personal training sessions soon and I will ask about this.

 

[mom2lillian]

I also have issues with this.

WHen I used to run, also before my dx I was taking an aerobics class for college and they taught us to do resting HR then we had to bring that in and then do HR readings during class manually and the instructor almost croaked after we ran a mile and I did mine.

I also feel good when my active HR is 'higher' than it should be. My resting HR has decreased to the 60's now that I am more active but when excercising I let it get to 170 which is hgiher than I am 'supposed' to per what you read etc, I try not to get it above 165 as I am worried about enlarging my heart.

All the stuff I read if I keep my HR there I dont feel I am getting a tru workout and I have never known if I am a glutton for punishment or if it is due to the lungs? I have good 02 sats even when sick so I am not worried about that part I also dont get any signs of o2 deprivation.

I think a HR monitor by polar is a wise investment for any of us. I am signed up for a few personal training sessions soon and I will ask about this.

 

[mom2lillian]

I also have issues with this.

WHen I used to run, also before my dx I was taking an aerobics class for college and they taught us to do resting HR then we had to bring that in and then do HR readings during class manually and the instructor almost croaked after we ran a mile and I did mine.

I also feel good when my active HR is 'higher' than it should be. My resting HR has decreased to the 60's now that I am more active but when excercising I let it get to 170 which is hgiher than I am 'supposed' to per what you read etc, I try not to get it above 165 as I am worried about enlarging my heart.

All the stuff I read if I keep my HR there I dont feel I am getting a tru workout and I have never known if I am a glutton for punishment or if it is due to the lungs? I have good 02 sats even when sick so I am not worried about that part I also dont get any signs of o2 deprivation.

I think a HR monitor by polar is a wise investment for any of us. I am signed up for a few personal training sessions soon and I will ask about this.

 

[ladybug]

Hi, everyone... Thanks again for the input. Seems we all have a bit of an issue with this...

Nicole,

How were you able to get your resting HR so low? I literally have been running 3-4 times a week for almost 2 years and my resting nor my max HR have come down a single beat! It freaks me out, cause I know as you become more active this is something that SHOULD happen. Urgh.... Just wondering how long you had to be active before your resting HR went done like that? I would think 2 years would be sufficient to start seeing a lower resting HR, no?

Also, does albuterol factor into this, even if you've taken in several hours before activity? I suppose taking it 2X a day every single day, perhaps I still have the side effects of it at all times of the day?? I wonder if a high max HR due to med side effects is as bad as just a high max HR? Urgh.

Also, does the Polar pulse ox take readings when you're flailing your arms/hands around? I would think you'd have to be fairly stable to get an accurate reading, no? Plus, my treadmill at the gym has a polar HR built in and it specifically says NOT to take HR while running (for safety and accuracy).

Thanks again, guys. Sorry to be so inquisitive about it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I know I go on and on sometimes! LOL

 

[ladybug]

Hi, everyone... Thanks again for the input. Seems we all have a bit of an issue with this...

Nicole,

How were you able to get your resting HR so low? I literally have been running 3-4 times a week for almost 2 years and my resting nor my max HR have come down a single beat! It freaks me out, cause I know as you become more active this is something that SHOULD happen. Urgh.... Just wondering how long you had to be active before your resting HR went done like that? I would think 2 years would be sufficient to start seeing a lower resting HR, no?

Also, does albuterol factor into this, even if you've taken in several hours before activity? I suppose taking it 2X a day every single day, perhaps I still have the side effects of it at all times of the day?? I wonder if a high max HR due to med side effects is as bad as just a high max HR? Urgh.

Also, does the Polar pulse ox take readings when you're flailing your arms/hands around? I would think you'd have to be fairly stable to get an accurate reading, no? Plus, my treadmill at the gym has a polar HR built in and it specifically says NOT to take HR while running (for safety and accuracy).

Thanks again, guys. Sorry to be so inquisitive about it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I know I go on and on sometimes! LOL

 

[ladybug]

Hi, everyone... Thanks again for the input. Seems we all have a bit of an issue with this...

Nicole,

How were you able to get your resting HR so low? I literally have been running 3-4 times a week for almost 2 years and my resting nor my max HR have come down a single beat! It freaks me out, cause I know as you become more active this is something that SHOULD happen. Urgh.... Just wondering how long you had to be active before your resting HR went done like that? I would think 2 years would be sufficient to start seeing a lower resting HR, no?

Also, does albuterol factor into this, even if you've taken in several hours before activity? I suppose taking it 2X a day every single day, perhaps I still have the side effects of it at all times of the day?? I wonder if a high max HR due to med side effects is as bad as just a high max HR? Urgh.

Also, does the Polar pulse ox take readings when you're flailing your arms/hands around? I would think you'd have to be fairly stable to get an accurate reading, no? Plus, my treadmill at the gym has a polar HR built in and it specifically says NOT to take HR while running (for safety and accuracy).

Thanks again, guys. Sorry to be so inquisitive about it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I know I go on and on sometimes! LOL

 

[cdale613]

Hi Sonia,

Some people do respond physiologically to exercise more than others. Not everyone's heart rate drops as much.

Its very relative - if you were already in good aerobic shape when you started tracking your heart rate during your workouts, you wouldn't notice a drop in heart rate. In your case, one could also presume that there are other factors keeping your resting heart rate relatively high (lower resting O2 saturation for example). Also, as you mentioned, an increased heart rate is a potential side effect of albuterol.

In training, max. heart rate should be regarded as a constant. It will generally fall with age, but isn't really impacted by exercise. What is impacted is your anaerobic threshold. People can only sustain brief periods of activity above their anaerobic threshold. For most people, this anaerobic phase starts at 80-90% of their max. heart rate. It is possible through specified training that target different heart rate zones to push your anaerobic threshold up, sustaining activity at higher heart rates for longer times.

When you hear things like don't train above a certain heart rate level, its because they are assuming you have crossed your aerobic threshold, and are training anareobically, which does not do you any good if your goal is to train your aerobic "system".

If you're really interested in it, there are a lot of exercise physiology books out there that talk about training with heart rate. I can't recommend any in particular.

Your gym is right... don't try to hold the bar on the treadmill while running very fast... its definitely akward, and they don't want you to fall. However, you should be able to get a decent reading if you take it right after running and then held on to it as you walked. The product I was referring to before was the chest strap/ wrist watch kind.

Hope this was somewhat helpful, personally I find it pretty fascinating!!

Chris

26 m w/CF

 

[cdale613]

Hi Sonia,

Some people do respond physiologically to exercise more than others. Not everyone's heart rate drops as much.

Its very relative - if you were already in good aerobic shape when you started tracking your heart rate during your workouts, you wouldn't notice a drop in heart rate. In your case, one could also presume that there are other factors keeping your resting heart rate relatively high (lower resting O2 saturation for example). Also, as you mentioned, an increased heart rate is a potential side effect of albuterol.

In training, max. heart rate should be regarded as a constant. It will generally fall with age, but isn't really impacted by exercise. What is impacted is your anaerobic threshold. People can only sustain brief periods of activity above their anaerobic threshold. For most people, this anaerobic phase starts at 80-90% of their max. heart rate. It is possible through specified training that target different heart rate zones to push your anaerobic threshold up, sustaining activity at higher heart rates for longer times.

When you hear things like don't train above a certain heart rate level, its because they are assuming you have crossed your aerobic threshold, and are training anareobically, which does not do you any good if your goal is to train your aerobic "system".

If you're really interested in it, there are a lot of exercise physiology books out there that talk about training with heart rate. I can't recommend any in particular.

Your gym is right... don't try to hold the bar on the treadmill while running very fast... its definitely akward, and they don't want you to fall. However, you should be able to get a decent reading if you take it right after running and then held on to it as you walked. The product I was referring to before was the chest strap/ wrist watch kind.

Hope this was somewhat helpful, personally I find it pretty fascinating!!

Chris

26 m w/CF

 

[cdale613]

Hi Sonia,

Some people do respond physiologically to exercise more than others. Not everyone's heart rate drops as much.

Its very relative - if you were already in good aerobic shape when you started tracking your heart rate during your workouts, you wouldn't notice a drop in heart rate. In your case, one could also presume that there are other factors keeping your resting heart rate relatively high (lower resting O2 saturation for example). Also, as you mentioned, an increased heart rate is a potential side effect of albuterol.

In training, max. heart rate should be regarded as a constant. It will generally fall with age, but isn't really impacted by exercise. What is impacted is your anaerobic threshold. People can only sustain brief periods of activity above their anaerobic threshold. For most people, this anaerobic phase starts at 80-90% of their max. heart rate. It is possible through specified training that target different heart rate zones to push your anaerobic threshold up, sustaining activity at higher heart rates for longer times.

When you hear things like don't train above a certain heart rate level, its because they are assuming you have crossed your aerobic threshold, and are training anareobically, which does not do you any good if your goal is to train your aerobic "system".

If you're really interested in it, there are a lot of exercise physiology books out there that talk about training with heart rate. I can't recommend any in particular.

Your gym is right... don't try to hold the bar on the treadmill while running very fast... its definitely akward, and they don't want you to fall. However, you should be able to get a decent reading if you take it right after running and then held on to it as you walked. The product I was referring to before was the chest strap/ wrist watch kind.

Hope this was somewhat helpful, personally I find it pretty fascinating!!

Chris

26 m w/CF

 

[mom2lillian]

Sonia-MY resting HR goes down very quickly witin a few months of my being active but also I do not take albuterol as it makes my HR go crazy and I get jittery and it drives me crazy. I take xopenex you might try it instead for a month though I do know it is more expensive so you woudl have to weight that out depeding on your ocverage. You should take resting HR before you get out of bed and see what it is as albuterol will have worn off at that point. ALso I have 97% lung functions and my O2 sats are always perfect I think everyoen is different and you just focus on getting yours as best as you can.

If you buy a polar monitor it will automatically link to the gym equipment and show on screen. It is a strap you wear around your chest and then you have a watch and you can look at watch and it will keep track time in zone out aone etc but the HR on the watch will also be on equipments screen so yes it shows up at all times and is even able to be used in pool most of the time. They are well worth investment IMO.

Chris-thanks for the notes, it is all very interesting to me I have been looking up info on HR training to imrpove cardio fitness etc and I am toying with it a bit but want to read some more and then really try it.

 

[mom2lillian]

Sonia-MY resting HR goes down very quickly witin a few months of my being active but also I do not take albuterol as it makes my HR go crazy and I get jittery and it drives me crazy. I take xopenex you might try it instead for a month though I do know it is more expensive so you woudl have to weight that out depeding on your ocverage. You should take resting HR before you get out of bed and see what it is as albuterol will have worn off at that point. ALso I have 97% lung functions and my O2 sats are always perfect I think everyoen is different and you just focus on getting yours as best as you can.

If you buy a polar monitor it will automatically link to the gym equipment and show on screen. It is a strap you wear around your chest and then you have a watch and you can look at watch and it will keep track time in zone out aone etc but the HR on the watch will also be on equipments screen so yes it shows up at all times and is even able to be used in pool most of the time. They are well worth investment IMO.

Chris-thanks for the notes, it is all very interesting to me I have been looking up info on HR training to imrpove cardio fitness etc and I am toying with it a bit but want to read some more and then really try it.

 

[mom2lillian]

Sonia-MY resting HR goes down very quickly witin a few months of my being active but also I do not take albuterol as it makes my HR go crazy and I get jittery and it drives me crazy. I take xopenex you might try it instead for a month though I do know it is more expensive so you woudl have to weight that out depeding on your ocverage. You should take resting HR before you get out of bed and see what it is as albuterol will have worn off at that point. ALso I have 97% lung functions and my O2 sats are always perfect I think everyoen is different and you just focus on getting yours as best as you can.

If you buy a polar monitor it will automatically link to the gym equipment and show on screen. It is a strap you wear around your chest and then you have a watch and you can look at watch and it will keep track time in zone out aone etc but the HR on the watch will also be on equipments screen so yes it shows up at all times and is even able to be used in pool most of the time. They are well worth investment IMO.

Chris-thanks for the notes, it is all very interesting to me I have been looking up info on HR training to imrpove cardio fitness etc and I am toying with it a bit but want to read some more and then really try it.

 

[ladybug]

Thanks, Chris and Nicole!

Chris:

Great info! My resting O2 is around 96 and has been for years. I think with just walking briskly it can get to around 93, but again, I haven't checked it running. I don't have the "symptoms" of it being low however, as I don't feel light headed, out of breath and can usually chat with people immediately after I stop running (and qucik answers as I am running).

Nicole:

Yes, I've tried xopenex. It didn't work as well for me. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> I really wish it had though, cause albuterol has maken me jittery and giving me a racing pulse for years. Urgh.

Anyway, thanks again everyone. Its good to get some good information that doesn't always follow what I learned in high school gym class... Its also good to know others have this issue as well and aren't too worried about it.

Thanks,