Exercising Heart Rate Too High

[glamorgranny]

While exercising my heart rate is very quickly way above the aerobic rate for my age.  If I slow down to lower my heart rate it seems that I'm not exercising very effectively.  What should I do?

[Dr Arora]

Hi, according to your age a heart rate of 110 to 120 is the target heart rate during exercise and you are achieving that target during most of the exercises. There is nothing to worry if you are achieving this target on a quickly. There could be several reasons for this, one is you might not be taking proper time to do the exercise. My advise is to start slowly and the achieve your pace after 15 minutes. Second is, there might be some faulty reading on the gym equipment as regard to the heart rate. It’s not a major concern. regards.

[SLadylani]

Try a longer warm up and gradually increasing back up to the levels youre doing. Some people naturally will have heart rates above the expected level, and that's OK, but certainly when you feel pain, that's when a problem arises. Often certain lifestyle habits can affect heartrate such as smoking, diet, and stress levels, and of course drugs/alcohol. So I would first suggest trying a longer warm up and see how that goes.

Sara RN

[gymdandee]

have you checked your  Resting Heart Rate? If you haven't then check it.
Measuring your resting heart rate is a very simple process. Remember, that early morning is the best time to measure your resting heart rate. Follow the steps given below to measure your resting heart rate.

     After you wake up give sometime to your body to rest for a while.
     Do not suddenly start measuring the RHR after waking up.
     Lie down at least for 15 minutes before measuring the RHR.
     There are two methods of measuring RHR. One is to measure radial pulse (wrist) and the other is to measure carotid pulse (neck). Radial Pulse - Place your index finger tips and third finger tips on the thumb side of any one of your wrist. You will sense the beats, hold the finger tips gently. Then with the help of a clock, measure the pulse for 10 seconds. Multiply the result by 6. Carotid Pulse - Place your index finger tips and third finger tips below your jaw, along the windpipe and throat. Hold it gently using the fingertips of first and second finger. Then with the help of clock measure the pulse for 10 seconds. Multiply the result by 6.
The result you get after multiplying with 6 is your resting heart rate. You should always take an average reading to measure your RHR. To get this average reading, measure your RHR for at least thrice a week.
Resting Heart Rate For a female 65+ is for Athletes 54-59 , Excellent 60-64 ,  Good 65-68 ,
Above Average 69-72 ,  Average 73-76,  Below Average 77-84 ,  Poor 84+

Exercising within the correct heart rate range is important to obtain the maximum cardiovascular benefits, and to stay within safe limits. The optimal heart rate range is called the target or training heart rate. It is the heart rate one should attain during vigorous exercise. Generally, fitness trainers recommend exercising between 55 % and 85 % of one’s maximum heart rate for the best possible benefits.

find your target heart rate very easily. One subtracts one’s age from 220 and multiplies the resultant number by .55. Then one multiplies the same number by .85. In an aerobic exercise regimen, one should try to attain one’s target heart rate (60-80% of the maximum the heart can beat) at least three to five times a week for 20-60 minutes after warm-ups. This is the best way of maximizing the health benefits of cardiovascular activity

It is important to know that certain medications can affect heart rate either way. It is always to consult a doctor about monitoring exercise intensity if one is on any kind of medication that affects heart rate.