What could be the causes of extremely high heart rate with excercise? And is it !
Question: When I am at the gym I typically stay on the eliptical because the treadmil gives me shin splints. After only about 7-10 minutes, on a level 3 and only going speeds between 5-7, my heart rate is around 180 and has gone all the way up to 195 at times. I know that I have a leaky heart valve, and have had a heart echo and stress test. This was about two years ago and my doctors didn't seem too worried about anything. This high heart rate worries me though. Often when I leave the gym (even after a cool down) I feel faint like I might pass out. Should I make another doctor's appointment or is this normal? I am 24 years old, 5'1" and 105 pounds.
Answers: When I am at the gym I typically stay on the eliptical because the treadmil gives me shin splints. After only about 7-10 minutes, on a level 3 and only going speeds between 5-7, my heart rate is around 180 and has gone all the way up to 195 at times. I know that I have a leaky heart valve, and have had a heart echo and stress test. This was about two years ago and my doctors didn't seem too worried about anything. This high heart rate worries me though. Often when I leave the gym (even after a cool down) I feel faint like I might pass out. Should I make another doctor's appointment or is this normal? I am 24 years old, 5'1" and 105 pounds.
If you aren't out of breath, it isn't too bad. 195 is at 100% of estimated max heart rate for your age (220 - age). Unless you are a competitive athlete, you should be toning it down a little. The high rate may be caused by your heart trying to compensate for the leak, which means part of what it tries to pump falls back to your heart.
But you should warm-up gradually and cooldown the same way. Depending on why the valve leaks, it may improve if you get it easy for awhile. I had valve problems from an infection, and a strained valve. 2 months off then gradual work allowed me to work hard again little by little. I did not do anything that made me at all out of breath while recovering, and it took about 6 months all together.
Your heart rate should drop at least 12 beats the first minute you slow down, a 30 beat drop after two minutes, and near normal heart rate after 10 minutes. If it doesn't do all three, or pretty close, you are overdoing your training.
You are short and slim, so you don't have real high energy reserves. At least sit down for 10 minutes or so, after you cooldown or after you shower to let your body push some energy back out to your drained muscles. You might then be fine.
your heart rate shouldnt exceed approx 157 if you want to be able to burn fat. Above this, there is simply not enough oxygen available to use fat for enegy.
Try to reduce your intensity so that your heart rate remains between 137 and 157 as much as possible. Gradually increasing yur time to 20-30 min per day max.
If you only weigh 105 pounds and get shin splint pain on the tredmill...you are likely quite weak.
there is no rule that sez you have to go fast for exercise to wrk...so slow down. improving your cardio fitness (slowly) may actually improve your leaky heart.
If you didn't have heart problems, I would suggest you slow down a little. With a valve problem, you need to ask your doctor what your target heart rate is and your limit.
I'm a basket case and simply watch the pulse monitor to speed up or slow down. Pulse rate rules!
How is your potassium level? Since your Dr is aware of your leaky valve, did they OK your exercises? Might want to slow the pace on the eliptical