rapid heart rate when running ...

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > The Med Tent >

Up to Threads in The Med Tent

13 Replies Last post: Feb 5, 2007 6:44 PM by txfirefighter886

txfirefighter886

15 posts since
Nov 23, 2006

Nov 23, 2006 3:28 PM

rapid heart rate when running

I've been running for general fitness for about 6 years. I'm 29 and 165#.

Here's the situation....
Just sitting around my heart rt =96-100. After a brisk 5 minute walk it goes up to the 130s. After running a steady 9:30 per mile pace I often have a heart rate of 204. If I do sprint intervals in my 2 mile run I've clocked my pulse at near 250. Usually it gets back down to the 90s in a few hours. This is a normal occurence when I run and has occured for the last several years.

My systolic BP is usually mid-90s to <110. My last cholesterol check wasn't good (232). I don't know if those are factors or not.

The other day my pulse stayed at at 100-120 and did not go back down which is what prompted me to ask. No chest pain and mild shortness of breath on exertion, otherwise just feeling it beat fast.

I know the problems tachycardias can lead to. Not sure if this is ventricular tach (doubt it) or not. What do you think? Should I be worried? Is it healthy in the longterm?

Thanks

Runningstmarys

37 posts since
Aug 14, 2005

1. Nov 23, 2006 4:27 PM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

Speaking as someone who has had some of these same problems with heart rate and BP, I would say make an appointment with a cardiologist. Don't let anyone tell you that you are too young to be having these things happen and that it is nothing. I started to have these same problems at age 24 after an illness and it took years for me to find out what was truly wrong and get it corrected. It wouldn't be hard for you to find a general practioner who would tell you that you are having anxiety attacks. Doubtful! Only a cardiologist can tell you for sure what is going on. Tell him everything and don't hold back. At your age he may give you something as simple as beta blocker which would slow your heart and drop your BP. It is also something that will have to be monitored.

Angie O Plasty

18 posts since
Jul 6, 2006

2. Nov 26, 2006 4:50 PM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

Get it checked out ASAP. Probably the best test to find out what's going on is a Holter monitor, which is a small EKG monitor you wear for usually 24 hours while doing your normal activities. Or they might want to do a treadmill stress test. Either way, that would show what the rhythm is when this happens. BTW, are you counting it by hand or using a heart rate monitor? 96-100 is rather high for a resting rate as well, especially in a person who is in decent shape as opposed to a sofa spud. Keep us posted.

txfirefighter886

15 posts since
Nov 23, 2006

3. Nov 26, 2006 11:46 PM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

I just thought it was fast because my BP is low and the heart was beating fast to compensate for the low pressure (similar to when someone goes into shock). I know I'm taking my pulse right and counting my heart rate correctly. I'm a paramedic so I do it often

I heard if it decreases 10 beats within a minute of stopping activity (mine does) then the heart is healthy and everything's ok. Is that not accurate?

Sitting around yesterday and today it was ranging between 78 - 90. I hooked myself up to a 3-lead ECG and had a normal sinus rhythm. When I was lifting weights it got up to 134 but was normal shortly after stopping.

Nevertheless, I'll be calling the clinic in the morning. Thanks for your input. I'll keep ya'll updated.

Angie O Plasty

18 posts since
Jul 6, 2006

4. Nov 27, 2006 8:26 AM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

The info I found for recovery heart rate said that if your heart rate decreases by less than 30 bpm in the first minute after exercising as hard as you can, you are in poor shape ( http://www.drmirkin.com/archive/6941.html[/URL" target="_blank"> ). As far as the resting rate being high because of the low BP, that makes some sense. I'm glad you're calling the clinic--a heart rate of 250 just sounds too high to be sinus tach, and 204 consistently during regular running is pretty high! BTW, this is coming from someone who herself can have a pretty high heart rate while running (max seems to be 211; can easily exceed 200 going up a hill; consider staying below 180 for a whole easy run to be an accomplishment). Hopefully you can get this checked out and it will turn out to be something that isn't a major issue. The reason I asked how you were measuring your heart rate is that I've seen enough people who don't know how to do it properly, or are seeing ridiculous numbers on their HRM due to some electrical interference (I get the odd reading of 230 or 240 on mine sometimes when a car drives by)--sorry if this was insulting in any way; didn't realize you were a paramedic and therefore one could only hope you knew how to take a proper heart rate

Runningstmarys

37 posts since
Aug 14, 2005

5. Nov 28, 2006 6:36 AM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

I also have had strange heart rates show up on my monitor from time to time. The one that always gets me is when I am running up hill past the cemetary and my monitor goes haywire and shoots up to 240. Been trying to figure out what kind of interference comes from a cemetary.
I am glad you are getting this checked out. Please keep us posted.

holoclothes

22 posts since
Aug 19, 2007

6. Nov 28, 2006 6:48 AM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

it's gotta be the ghosts

txfirefighter886

15 posts since
Nov 23, 2006

7. Nov 28, 2006 2:37 PM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Angie O Plasty:
The info I found for recovery heart rate said that if your heart rate decreases by less than 30 bpm in the first minute after exercising as hard as you can, you are in poor shape.......sorry if this was insulting in any way; didn't realize you were a paramedic and therefore one could only hope you knew how to take a proper heart rate <HR>

No I wasn't insulted. Not a problem

I must be in poor shape. I did a very slow jog - walking may've been quicker. Immediately upon completion my HR=176. One minute later HR=160. 1 hour later HR=116.

Here's what the PA at the clinic said: it may be a thyroid problem even though I have no family history or personal history of thyroid problems. Thursday I go back for a fasting thyroid test and blood work, followed some time later by a EKG and one of those 24hr portable monitors. I'll post back here when I get the results.

txfirefighter886

15 posts since
Nov 23, 2006

8. Dec 1, 2006 11:06 AM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

Went to the clinic. Here's the rundown:

thyroid - normal
blood test normal - K, Na, blood gases, etc.
urine normal - no blood, no sugar
HDL normal, triglycerides low, LDL too high
EKG - one inverted P-wave, possible atrial ectopy

Next week: get a Holter monitor, wear it, and wait for the results. Possibly a stress echo later. Problem: my insurance won't pay for those so I have to :/

I was really hoping it was a thyroid problem because we would've started treating that and avoided the more expensive tests coming up.

Meanwhile I still have a physical agility test to prepare for...

Sightseer66

79 posts since
Jun 5, 2006

9. Dec 2, 2006 8:45 PM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

Glad you are getting medical attention, although I was hoping you were just off in your readings. I am hopeless at measuring my own heart rate during excercise which is why I got a HRM. Stinks that these tests won't be covered expenses, maybe that can be appealed? Anyway, wish you the best.

Runningstmarys

37 posts since
Aug 14, 2005

10. Dec 3, 2006 12:29 PM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

I ran while I had my Holter monitor on at my doctor's request. Kind of like a poor mans stress test that gave them a lot more feedback and data. You should ask about that also as you seem to be having more trouble while running.
Keep us posted on your results and don't get upset over any of them. You would be shocked at the runners who still do it with all kinds of heart conditions, with their doctor's blessings. Hang in there.

txfirefighter886

15 posts since
Nov 23, 2006

11. Dec 14, 2006 9:37 AM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

Got my Holter monitor result this morning. Here's the rundown:
no ectopy, no S-T changes, no atrial problems, no ventricular problems. Slowest rate was 54, fastest rate was just over 200. For 2 hours out of 24 my heart rate was over 100. This was probably was around periods of exercise and other exertion. I ran hard per Dr's orders to get a read on what happens then and it didn't get too much above 200. So basically other than tachycardia on exertion, it was unremarkable. The cardiologist had no recommendations. The PA's going to talk to her medical director and see what he says. Next up is probably a stress echo. That's all for now. I'll keep ya'll posted.

stevielovell

22 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

12. Dec 14, 2006 10:44 AM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Runningstmarys:
I also have had strange heart rates show up on my monitor from time to time. The one that always gets me is when I am running up hill past the cemetary and my monitor goes haywire and shoots up to 240. Been trying to figure out what kind of interference comes from a cemetary.
I am glad you are getting this checked out. Please keep us posted. <HR>

Now THAT'S scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

txfirefighter886

15 posts since
Nov 23, 2006

13. Feb 5, 2007 6:44 PM

in response to: txfirefighter886

Re: rapid heart rate when running

I was referred to a cardiologist. He had me do an ultrasound which came back completely normal. His opinion: the rate is fast, but there are no other indicators that say something is wrong. I may just be a person that has a fast rate and that's how I normally run.

For me lately: I get up to 188-196 just after running fast (sprint intervals, stairs/towers). So maybe up to 200 when I'm really running. I still hit the 130-140s when walking a brisk walk or lifting weights. Nothing over 210 since that one time. If nothing else I now know to watch my rate better.

I'm trying out for a FD and if I get to the medical physical, I hope a hr=200 on a treadmill test doesn't get me tossed. I'll be invoking the name of my cardiologist should they get suspicious

Go to original post

Nov 23, 2006 3:28 PM

rapid heart rate when running

Actions

More Like This

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links