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jpjpusa

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Sep 19, 2006 12:12 AM

Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

I'm in poor/almost decent shape, age early 30's..I have managed to keep my morning jogs going somewhat consistently for the past couple of years...yet I wonder what in the world is wrong with me that my heart rate consistently stays at 172 while I jog through a few miles on the treadmill in the mornings (at a 5.2-5.5mph jog!!) If I go up to 8.0mph for a minute, my heart rate will go up to 195!! According to the "charts" for my age and reading other info, this seems much higher than it should be..

One thing that is encouraging is that my heart rate seems to drop very fast when I stop jogging and go down to a fast walk. Within 20-30 seconds, I will be back down to about a 120 heart rate, maybe less. Resting heart rate is in the 50-55 range.

What's the deal? If I were to follow the "target heart zone" charts, for optimum fat burning, I should be walking at 4 mph instead of even jogging!!

Joe_H1

1,041 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

1. Sep 19, 2006 5:56 AM

in response to: jpjpusa

have you done any field tests?

they are more accurate than the charts. what's your avg HR after a 5k Run all out?

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deme73

9 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

2. Sep 19, 2006 9:48 AM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

I would be interested in the answer to that question as well...I think I am in pretty good shape but as soon as I start to run the heart rate climbs and the highest it has gone was 200!!!!! I immediately stopped...but I didn't feel winded or tired. Now I look at the monitor often and have to slow down to almost a walk to get back the minimum...I find that often work out in the mid range. I am curious to know what others think.

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zaffinator

123 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

3. Sep 19, 2006 11:01 AM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

perhaps you should simply go by perceived exertion. if you aren't completely winded or dying after running at this pace, then you aren't near your max.
everyone's got a different hr max, and estimations using age don't always apply.

you should do a test to get your max, then use that to calculate the right zones for you.

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jpjpusa

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

4. Sep 19, 2006 11:42 AM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

Right, I actually find that I'm quite comfortable in a constant jog, yet my HR stays right there at 172. It seems like I could trot along at this pace forever. I'm not winded at all. I've been like this for over a year.

The prior tends to make me think that I'm not overexerting, and I feel great...yet, according to the charts, I'm much higher than I should be; it's somewhat disheartening.

After a 5k I'd be around 184 HR.

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runjewelsrun

1 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

5. Sep 19, 2006 1:23 PM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

I wondered the same thing. I recently had a test done at my gym. I had to breath into a special mask and run on the treadmill at different inclines. I found out that my maximum heart rate is 205. Way higher than the charts say. My anaerobic threshold is 177. So don't go by the charts, go by how you feel. I am a 35 year old female.

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Joe_H1

1,041 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

6. Sep 19, 2006 1:47 PM

in response to: jpjpusa

link to lactate threshold heart rate training article

http://www.endurancefactor.com/article-zone.htm

you find LT by finding avg HR for last 20 min of a time trial run/ride (I use my avg 5k HR). try a retest and see where 172 gets you

zone 3 is 91%-95% (172/185=93%)still anaerobic but pushing it. but these are still kinda general and other factors do play into HR like weather, fatigue,ect. but 172 doesn't sound too off if your avg HR is 185 for the time trial

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jpjpusa

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

7. Sep 19, 2006 2:47 PM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

Interesting. I have found that when I get in better shape, my heart rate during jogs tends to come down even more. About a year ago when I was running more consistently, my average heart rate during my short (2 mile) morning jogs came down to about 165. As of late it's been back up at 172. In both cases, it seems higher than the charts would suggest. I guess I must be higher than most in this regard. I went to the doc a while back for full EKG/heart workup (prior to some minor surgery) and all checked out 100% fine.

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jpjpusa

4 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

8. Sep 19, 2006 2:51 PM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

Also, I notice that during the first 2 miles of the jog, my heart rate will stay put at about 172, then slowly start creeping up to 176, 178, 180 (over the next 1/2 mile)...is this normal? or am I overdoing it?

from these posts I know I must sound like an obese couch potato...really I'm not!! (chuckle)

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ericpmr

32 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

9. Sep 19, 2006 7:33 PM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

Your "heart" workup for minor surgery I'm sure included only a resting 12 lead EKG study. I assume you did not have a reason for them to perform a more involved workup at that time.

HR of 200 is always abnormal, and at the very least, is a sinus arrythmia. You do require a cardiac stress test by a cardiologist, who can assess if you have any ominous arrythmias. In the meantime do pay attention to PRE also.

It is worth the trouble to investigate. I am a 46 year old physician marathoner and in the past investigated my slow resting rate, 36 BPM. Everything turned out OK but, for instance, a non-athelete may certainly have required medication or a pacemaker for this.

Anyway, do look into it.

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twosport

28 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

10. Sep 20, 2006 8:58 AM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

Keep in mind, not all heart rate monitors are accurate and many times outside electrical interference can cause inaccurate readings. Also, most people, exercising at 200 bpm would be quite winded. If 200 feels comfortable to you, you may be our next Lance Armstrong! Being in your 30's though it may be an accurate number. And yes, it's normal for you heart rate to slowly increase as you workout.

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beachedwhale

1 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

11. Sep 26, 2006 8:16 PM

in response to: jpjpusa

Re: Why is my heart rate so high during jogs?

I just ran a 10 mile trail run last Saturday and started at a HR of 160bpm and finished at over 183 with an average of 170 for the whole race.

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