What was my heart doing?!?

[Iheartmyheart]

Please come and diagnose me

In Sept, my husband and I bought electric bikes to help with our un-fitness and weight. I got a cargo bike with the thinking that, in fine weather, I could throw the kids on it and use it instead of my car. Fab. Except the first time I took them up a big hill, I got very unwell, had to stop and got a lift home. Put it down to a one off. Husband bought me a sports watch so we could keep and eye on my heart rate etc.

So today, I was cycling up another large hill and felt unwell at the top. I stopped and got some water. My heart was at 160bpm. There was a small wall so I sat on it and felt even worse. Looked at my watch again and in less than 2 minutes, my heart rate had dropped to 64 and I felt faint. I got down on the ground at this point and just sat still for 5 minutes or so. My heart came back to 100, I felt much better and carried on.

What was that? Do I need to see a doctor? Or is this just what happens when fat people exercise?!?

See a Dr
We can't diagnosis you

Yes, I appreciate that- it was said fairly tongue in cheek .
It’s a rubbish time to try and see a doctor.... plus I’m keen to not use up resources that could be better used elsewhere, esp of this is just a common thing to starting exercise!

I dunno, but I do remember being told not to just stop dead when exercising as the blood will all pool in your feet and you’ll faint.
This may be a load of rubbish, but there is no harm in just gently swinging your legs about another time?

You do need to call a doctor. Yes, your heart rate will go up with exercise, feeling unwell with intense unaccustomed exercise is not abnormal either, but for heart stuff it's worth getting checked out properly. You won't be wasting resources.

(That is definitely rubbish though GreyishDays )

Could you be doing too much too soon? You got a bike to help with "unfitness" and you're already cycling to the top of a hill - that's quite a task for many!

I also agree with PP that (depending on your fitness levels) you need to come to a gradual stop to allow your heart rate to settle.

Next time take small regular stops, keep hydrated, maybe push the bike slowly up the steepest parts, make sure you've even energy food beforehand to fuel yourself etc.

And of course speak to a GP

eaten*

How is your blood pressure? I am a regular exerciser, but on occasion after running feel faint and sick for a bit and I know I tend to low blood pressure and that makes me like that sometimes. Obviously if you're worried, then see a GP, especially if you ever feel unwell at other times.

Having googled, found a NYTimes article that suggests I’m not talking total rubbish. Who knows. Anyway:

Is the Exercise Cool-Down Really Necessary?
www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/health/nutrition/15best.html?referringSource=articleShare

Exercise researchers say there is only one agreed-on fact about the possible risk of suddenly stopping intense exercise. When you exercise hard, the blood vessels in your legs are expanded to send more blood to your legs and feet. And your heart is pumping fast. If you suddenly stop, your heart slows down, your blood is pooled in your legs and feet, and you can feel dizzy, even pass out.

The best athletes are most vulnerable, said Dr. Paul Thompson, a cardiologist and marathon runner who is an exercise researcher at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut.

“If you are well trained, your heart rate is slow already, and it slows down even faster with exercise,” he said. “Also, there are bigger veins with a large capacity to pool blood in your legs.”