My hear rate went to 178 when running, now having panic attack that I will die, please help

[Whattthefuck]

I have been trying to combat my anxiety (mainly heath related) with exercise.

Today I ran for 12 mins and 5 mins out of a 45 min walk. A message flashed up on the treadmill screen saying my heart rate was 178. I felt a bit puffed but nothing special, I'm not very fit so this was me running at my max but didn't feel sick or anything.

I've now googled max heart rate for my age and really scared I have damaged my heart and will have a heart attack

I don't have palpitations now, but sometimes do get them with an anxiety attack, if I start to get them how will I know if that is a heart attack brought on by exercising or just my anxiety?

[esk1mo]

and thats coming from a 10year sufferer of health anxiety !

[esk1mo]

why dont you switch to weights and yoga? ive honestly never been a fan of cardio. it
is only really useful to be able to sprint fast, short distances.

weights, yoga and 10-30second full pelt treadmill sprints will honestly benefit you so much more than jogging.

[rememberpurpleronnie]

Hi,
Haven't read the full thread but just want to sympathise- health anxiety is an issue in its own right and not just you being paranoid if it is starting to affect you. I really suffered- I stopped wearing a heart rate monitor which helped but I found the book 'overcoming health anxiety' by Wilson and Vealle to be life changing. You don't need to live like this

[BowiesBlueEye]

Oh and I'm 36 and 5 stone overweight.

[BowiesBlueEye]

This was mine from yesterday. Best run I've had so far. It felt easy and I was buzzing after. I didn't feel unwell at any point. I've only been running a couple of months 4 times a week. It drops down pretty fast now. I've got my resting heart rate from 76 to 64.

[fairgroundsnack]

I'm 37, on my 3 mile run this evening (according to my hrm watch) my average heart rate was 180 and max was 197. I'm pretty fit, always have a higher than average heart rate. Please don't panic!

[eurochick]

Mine is usually in the 180-190 range when I'm running.

[ShoesHaveSouls]

Resting heart rate is the important one I think. My fitbit like thing only records that - when I'm exercising it won't tell me my heart rate. Probably because it would worry me

On treadmills in the gym it goes up to the 180's when I'm running. Don't panic OP - I've not keeled over yet.

[randomuntrainedcuntowner]

And I'm 35

[randomuntrainedcuntowner]

Mine regularly goes up to about 182 when running. I wouldn't worry

[Fairylea]

Op I suffer with heart related health anxiety. I'm 37 and have a low resting pulse, I don't smoke or drink and I am not overweight but about 6 months ago I had some chest pains and despite having an ecg and blood tests I am convinced I am going to drop dead of a heart attack. There is nothing rational to it. I've been referred for CBT and prescribed diazepam and citalopram.

In my journey of this I've discovered a ton of stuff about hearts. Your heart rate is fine. You are exercising so it's likely to be that high. If you didn't feel unwell or lightheaded I wouldn't worry (rich coming from me I know)!

I have a "normal irregularity" of the heart, no one is worried about it and thy haven't referred me to a cardiologist. I'm assuming its a harmless murmur - I've had numerous ecgs in my life for various things and had an echo at one point too.

Everyone tells me it's your resting pulse everyone is most interested in. If you rest for 30 mins and take your pulse on your wrist and it's around 60-80 per min then you are doing well.

[BumWad]

Mine hits 180s when running on treadmill too I am 34 with average fitness

[PossomInAPearTree]

Fat burning zone is at 220 minus your age according to my PT. so I have to be around 180 to burn fat and in a running class I can pretty much be at that mark most of the time.

[Ameliablue]

The machines are not always that accurate. Wee recently got new machines at our gym and they occasionally flash up really high but I don't think it is accurate and it is also important to consider how quickly it did as well. Ie if it stays high when you stop exercising

[GissASquizz]

My ds reaches 250 during a SVT episode. His cardiologist said it would have to run at that rate for hours to start damaging the heart. He's 16. Knackering but not dangerous.

[NinonDeLenclos]

There is a ton of evidence that exercise is helpful for anxiety and depression

Not disputing exercise helps anxiety, but I'm asking what mental health treatment the OP is receiving. GP's have very little mental health training, and should be referring on for counselling.

[SoMuchWaiting]

Heart rates are funny things.

I'm early 30's and had issues with my heart so the cardiologist put me on a treadmill all wired up and told me he would push me further than I'd be comfortable with but it was necessary to see how my heart responded. I didn't get past a fast walk and they stopped me as my heart rate went over 200 and it was dangerous to continue. The very next appointment they discharged me as because my heart rate went back to normal in an acceptable time it was ok. Apparently I just get up to a high heart rate quicker than others.

I have been worried to exercise since as before the test my favourite part of going for a run was pushing myself and sprinting at the end. Goodness knows what my heart rate went to when I did that. I didn't even get to a jog on the treadmill with the dr there.

OP, as others have said, seriously don't worry about damaging your heart with what you did at the gym.

[museumum]

Mine goes into the 190s and I'm 40!
(It recovers fast though and is only in the 50s resting). I'm fitter than average but not super fit.

[Crumbs1]

You're unfit so,heart rate increases with exercise. Keep going and extend time you are running and over time it will reduce.

[mortificado]

That was my resting heart rate when pregnant! 😂 (had tachycardia though)
Stay off google! And make sure you drink plenty. Mine goes past that now when working out fairly hard

[OurMiracle1106]

I'm 28 and When exercising I can push my heart rate at times to just over 200 bpm on the treadmill machine however I'm unsure how reliable these are as my Epson PULSENSE (similar to a Fitbit with heart rate monitor) measures it at around 185

I honestly wouldn't worry. So long as you aren't going light headed or feeling unwell in to which case you should stop regardless to your heart rate.

[ShastaBeast]

I get to 190 max in the gym. I know the monitor isn't accurate but I used to go to the same gym a couple of years earlier and 120 was my max then. My BP is also high. Luckily our hearts can take a lot before coming to any harm. Keep going as it will help your health and mental wellbeing alongside other support.

[Usernamegone]

I'm 37 and wouldn't bat an eyelid if my heart rate got to 178 during a run.

I would advise that you ignore the heart rate of the treadmill as it is likely to be wildly inaccurate. If you are that concerned about your heart rate you can buy a heart rate monitor with a chest strap as this will be much more accurate.

The heart is a wonderful muscle and will get stronger the more you exercise and put it under 'strain'.

Could you afford any personal training sessions? Do you think working out supervised with a qualified PT may make you less anxious and help you build confidence in the gym?

[Almostfifty]

I still hit about 180 when I'm at spin class, and I'm in my fifties. So long as it goes back down quickly, you're doing fine.

[MakingMerry]

I would't worry about it, I regularly hit 206 when running in my twenties (allowing for cardio monitors on treadmills being a bit crap.) I'm now forty, still alive and hit about 185 when going flat out. It's very much person dependent.