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AIBU?

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Original poster

Any doctors? Is this lack of cardio fitness or am I on course for a cardiac issue?

61 replies

Mollytohiding · 13/12/2025 15:11

Any doctors out there? I'm post meno, have exercised for years and years but whilst for a long time did HITT classes, more and more focussed on heavy weights. This past year, cardio dropped to very little, exclusively weights. I skip for a minute at the end of each session. I walk the dog, but you know - no great pace. I have sedentary job. I have slightly elevated cholesterol (familial)

Two weeks ago, walked up a steepish road with a friend, a bit pissed, talking - got winded, had to stop. Same thing next day uphill on phone.

I then tried to test myself walking up an INCREDIBLY steep hill with difficult foot markings and I did it but it was hard. Husband and kids tore up, annoyingly.

So, am I cardio unconditioned, as they say, or could there be something else?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollytohiding · 13/12/2025 18:07

tipsyraven · 13/12/2025 17:31

I was about to say the same. I have a friend who had this and it was anaemia with an underlying problem at the heart of it.

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Thank you.
What sort of underlying problem? Like something connected to anaemia, but not the heart?

OP posts:
tipsyraven · 13/12/2025 17:31

Lovetobe · 13/12/2025 15:48

Please see your GP - there are many things that this could be including anaemia.
Hope you get sorted soon

I was about to say the same. I have a friend who had this and it was anaemia with an underlying problem at the heart of it.

Lovetobe · 13/12/2025 15:48

Please see your GP - there are many things that this could be including anaemia.
Hope you get sorted soon

Original poster
Mollytohiding · 13/12/2025 15:39

what's the most inexpensive gadget to get to track all this stuff in the gym?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollytohiding · 13/12/2025 15:38

olderbutwiser · 13/12/2025 15:33

Post menopause (aka Getting Older) I find my cardio fitness can drop pretty quickly unless I keep up the work. But also, as PP above said, my DH's heart condition was only discovered during lockdown when the gyms shut and he had to up his cardio and found he was getting breathless quickly. Tough one to balance.

what condition does your DH have, if you don't mind me asking?

OP posts:
olderbutwiser · 13/12/2025 15:33

Post menopause (aka Getting Older) I find my cardio fitness can drop pretty quickly unless I keep up the work. But also, as PP above said, my DH's heart condition was only discovered during lockdown when the gyms shut and he had to up his cardio and found he was getting breathless quickly. Tough one to balance.

BadgernTheGarden · 13/12/2025 15:30

Check your heart rate at the top of the hill and the recovery time to normal when you are at the top, I think those two measurements give you some information on your heart health. I would have to google it.

Original poster
Mollytohiding · 13/12/2025 15:29

IsItSnowing · 13/12/2025 15:27

If you do very little cardio it could just be lack of aerobic fitness. Try slowly increasing what you do and see there is any improvement.
If you were normally able to do it easily and it suddenly got really hard, then I would say see your doctor. But you just sound unfit to me - I've been there too unfortunately.

Yes, I suspect that's what it is. So galling as I'm so much stronger now. But I guess at my age, I need to really focus on both.

OP posts:
IsItSnowing · 13/12/2025 15:27

If you do very little cardio it could just be lack of aerobic fitness. Try slowly increasing what you do and see there is any improvement.
If you were normally able to do it easily and it suddenly got really hard, then I would say see your doctor. But you just sound unfit to me - I've been there too unfortunately.

vanillalattes · 13/12/2025 15:19

Given that you know you're sedentary and have cut back on cardio, I would increase that first and see if it makes a difference before panicking.

Allthesnowallthetime · 13/12/2025 15:17

Getting short of breath on exertion was my relative's only sign of serious heart problems. So I think I'd see a doctor about it.

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