168 Beats Per Minute

[malfeasance]

This looks like the right section for this, I think. I am not an endurance sports guy, but as I have gotten older, I have focused more on cardio for health reasons.

I tend to use it progressively, kind of like lifting weights. I pick a machine (lately the escalator stair looking machine, but an elliptical will do) and go at it. I might only do 20 minutes on some low setting at first, but each time after that I extend the time by a minute or three. When I get to 40-45 minutes, I increase the intensity level setting on the machine and cut the time back to maybe 30 minutes, then the next time it is 31, and then . . . well, you get the idea.

I do not do it every day.

I am up to the highest level ever on this stair/escalator thing and just reached 45 minutes.

Here is my concern. I am 57. My beats per minute reached 168 for ten minutes or more toward the end.

Is this a cause for concern?

I feel fine. This is not causing chest pain or anything like that. Some of the "Zone" levels on posters at the gym or online basically say a guy my age should not be letting his heart rate get that high, a "No Go Zone" all in red or something.

Is this dangerous for me?

Like I said, I feel fine. I mean, yeah, perceived exertion, sweat running off like crazy, but I watch a good movie and forget what I am doing until the machine starts slowing it down at the end. I glance at my heart rate a few times while going the cardio.

I have been over 150 bpm pretty reliably for some time now, but today it hit 168 bpm. I know I have been progressively adding cardio time and intensity. Am I doing it wrong? In the effort to protect my health, am I endangering my health?

It is hard to find reliable information about this, so I solicit your input here.

168 bpm at 57 yoa --> Thumbs up or thumbs down?

 

[narta]

If you don't feel uncomfortable it's fine.

 

[Scruf]

You are fine. If you said 205, then we might have something to talk about. 168 is actually great for you and your age. Endurance athletes train at the higher bpm regularly. Just make sure it is coming down after you back off or get off the machine.

 

[malfeasance]

Oh, no, it's been stuck at 168 since I did cardio this morning!

 

[malfeasance]

Just kidding.

I just checked it, and it is down to 83.

 

[malfeasance]

If you don't feel uncomfortable it's fine.

You are fine. If you said 205, then we might have something to talk about. 168 is actually great for you and your age. Endurance athletes train at the higher bpm regularly. Just make sure it is coming down after you back off or get off the machine.

Whew! Ok, thanks, guys. That makes me feel better. I started out just making sure I had an extended time over 140. As I got into better shape, I started pushing it over 150. That is when I started looking up the heart rate zones and all of that, and it seemed ok for my age. At first, any time over 150 was uncomfortable, but as I kept at it, it became more comfortable.

I have been pushing over 160, up to about 162 or so. Today was the first time at 168, but I added a bunch of minutes at once instead of one minute at at time (LOL). I was shocked to see 168, and it stayed there for a long time, but it did not feel uncomfortable, other than I hate cardio. I did not have that feeling I had when I first started breaking 150 regularly. Honestly felt pretty good to be doing it.

I had to think it is better to push harder if I am not feeling like I am dying or something, but I got a little scared because of all those heart rate charts for my age.

As a bonus, that lying machine now says I am burning over 600 calories in the session.

 

[narta]

Don't push it too much though. No need really

 

[iris]

Just kidding.

I just checked it, and it is down to 83.

Is 83 your rhr?
As for going in the red for a while, as you did, you are good.
Doing anaerobic work is the best thing for your cv system, imo.
And the more regularly you do it, the "easier" it will feel.
Just make sure you don't stop suddenly and hr comes down gradually.

 

[malfeasance]

Is 83 your rhr?
As for going in the red for a while, as you did, you are good.
Doing anaerobic work is the best thing for your cv system, imo.
And the more regularly you do it, the "easier" it will feel.
Just make sure you don't stop suddenly and hr comes down gradually.

No, but I have not settled down yet. I just took a quick reading to answer this thread.

 

[cdoubleu]

+1 that I believe you’re safe as long as heart rate comes down to your standard RHR.
83 is slightly elevated for RHR. Is this where it sits upon waking, or as you go about your day?

I believe those charts are for general population who may not get the same level of exercise. If you are conditioned and able to comfortably handle sustained heart rate, consider yourself in better condition.

 

[malfeasance]

Resting heart rate is between 64 and 73, depending upon how stressed out I am and how much coffee I have consumed.

 

[Benf15harp]

assuming that’s not your max h-rate you’re gtg
Just guessing that’s probably about 80% max I would advise not going too much past 10mins if that’s the case

 

[malfeasance]

The traditional formula for determining HRmax is "220 minus age", but can underestimate HRmax by up to 40 beats per minute in seniors. In fact, the method is inaccurate already at an age of 30–40 years, and gets more inaccurate the older you are.

Heart Rate calculator - CERG - NTNU

Maximum heart rate calculator

www.ntnu.edu

 

[malfeasance]

That link basically says 174-176, with some lower amount due to using a beta blocker . . .

 

[malfeasance]

The traditional formula means I was OVER my maximum heart rate.

But that is the 220-age, and not a real test of my maximum heart rate in a lab on a treadmill and all of that, like the video at the end of the link in post # 17.

 

[Scruf]

The traditional formula means I was OVER my maximum heart rate.

But that is the 220-age, and not a real test of my maximum heart rate in a lab on a treadmill and all of that, like the video at the end of the link in post # 17.

You are training your heart just like any other muscle. I used to race mountain bikes for long distances and we would do heart rate zone training, what’s happening is your body is adapting and your heart is getting stronger and more efficient allowing it to beat faster for longer, you’re doing great. Keep it up. The benefits are tremendous, especially for the enhanced athlete. Just like any other muscle, don’t overdo it. Your resting Heart rate will start to creep down, but you might have to take it before your coffee.

 

[iris]

You are training your heart just like any other muscle. I used to race mountain bikes for long distances and we would do heart rate zone training, what’s happening is your body is adapting and your heart is getting stronger and more efficient allowing it to beat faster for longer, you’re doing great. Keep it up. The benefits are tremendous, especially for the enhanced athlete. Just like any other muscle, don’t overdo it. Your resting Heart rate will start to creep down, but you might have to take it before your coffee.

Indeed.
Aside from rhr, his heart rate will also start to come down faster, at the end of the effort. That’s another sign of improved cardiac efficiency.
Didn't know you ride.
I love it. I can live without many things, but the bike is something I cannot do without, whether it's indoors or outdoors.
It does as much for the mind as it does for the body.

Mr Malfeasance's aim is to achieve the rhr of a turtle, in case you missed previous posts, and live to the ripe old age of 175, looking as handsome as he currently does.
This man always brings it, so success is on the cards.

Good to see you.
Have a good Saturday

 

[Grey Spartan]

What are you using to measure your heart rate? I used to get some strange readings from my watch until I started using a chest strap.

 

[UncleBuns]

You ever heard of Andy Galpin? Is sports science researcher. Great content on all kinds of topics. I bring him up because about a month ago I listened to a podcast specifically about cardiovascular, adaptations, endurance, health etc. He's doing podcast now that you can get on Spotify etc. Really good information from a professional, not click bait bullshit.

https://performpodcast.com/

He also has some very good topic discussions on the Huberman podcast.

IMO jacking your heart rate up to a very high level briefly is actually quite good as long as you don't get pain or side effects from. I wouldn't want to keep it peaked long periods of time but briefly peeking heart rate is excellent for cardiovascular health.

 

[malfeasance]

Aside from rhr, his heart rate will also start to come down faster, at the end of the effort. That’s another sign of improved cardiac efficiency.

I notice that whenever I start up cardio after a break. My heart rate comes down every workout.

Maybe I just ramped up faster than my heart could adapt. I was on the highest level I had ever used and I added several minutes instead of my usual one or two minutes.

What are you using to measure your heart rate? I used to get some strange readings from my watch until I started using a chest strap.

Ah! Just the handles on the machine. I have a chest strap for riding a bicycle, but I haven't ridden in a long time. I have not worn the chest strap to see how it compares to the handles on the cardio machine. Many years back I remember pushing my heart rate over 180 while riding with the chest strap on. I was younger then and did not really know anything about heart rates yet, other than to notice, since I was a beginner, how quickly my heart adapted. I still remember failing the first two times I rode up a big hill, and by the third time barely being able to keep pedaling, and the fourth time peddling at a more decent pace all the way up. It is amazing how fast an out of shape body can adapt to cardio exercise.