Very high Heart rate during cardio - 190BPM at max, I'm 44

[justrestinginmybankaccount]

I would like to ask if anyone has anything similar going on. My heartrate today during a very intense bike class hit 190. I often hit into the 180s, in fact I always do. I do cardio training about 4 times a week and weights once. However my HR scares me.

I'm on levothyroixine because of my thyroid and I raised it with my Endocrinologist. She reduced my medication by 50mg per week because my levels are near perfect but a tad over medicated. However my HR has been like this since I started wearing a HR monitor in January, and I wasn't on this amount of Levo then anyway.

My resting heart rate is very good, it's about 54 which I think is healthy. I recover quickly for the high rate but ... anyone else naturally have a high one???

I was tested for something else recently and they had to do an ECG, my heart response was healthy.

I have asked the PTs at the gymand they just say, it's ok, you're not going to die :D (lightheartedly)

I'm a similar age with a resting hr of 55 and mine will go up sometimes to 200bpm for short periods when doing HIT running. Recovers quickly. I'm fitter now than a year ago and it doesn't happen as often but still goes to 180bpm.

I'm 43 and get similar numbers when I work out hard. My heart rate has always been higher than it "should " be, regardless of fitness level.

What type of heart rate monitor are you using? Some will detect the motion as a heart rate trigger point and with 180-190BPM being twice the typical Cadence (90-100 full crank rotations equals 180-200 power strokes) then it's quite possible this is causing erroneous data. It's worth checking before panicking.

Short spells of high heart rate 180-190 bpm is also quite common for HIT type training cycling. I have no experience with your medication though.

I'm wearing a Myzone belt.

That's not massively high though, and as you're fit it matters less than if not fit. I'm 56 and hit 165/170 when running pretty much all the time. At 130 I'm still walking and my resting HR is anywhere between 58-62. I'm fit and do a lot of exercise of all kinds. I wear a Polar HRM with chest strap, so I'm confident in the numbers. I shouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for the replies :)

I don't think my belt is making errors though. These aren't really short spells, it can go on for many minutes, long enough blocks in red, even in the warm up I jump into red. But I do work hard immediately?

It's good to hear others have higher than average HRs. I'm by no means fit but I've been going to the gym with some intensity now since January and I'm in no way unfit - maybe in time that number will be harder to achieve, but I definitely jump into it fast and when I 'burst' into high intensity that's when I hit 190 :( It's only then I see more serious watts going onto the bike.

So, nothing to panic about??

@lenoVentura - cool thanks. I think I was posting while you were. That's interesting. I think I am fit but it's all relative isn't it! Like, I can go out and run 5k no problem. But I couldn't just hike off and run 12.

OK panic over :) Thank you all for replying :)

I'm a bit older than you and also use a Myzone. My resting rate is 55 and my max is 174. Myzone is supposed to adjust your max (and your zones) if you are able to stay at max for more than a minute or two.
myzone.org/blog/trainers/heart-rate-training-mhr/

I can sustain red zone for the best part of half an hour, but never at max. Mainly just into the red at around 92% of max.

I don't think it's something to panic about, but you may not be doing yourself any favours by pushing straight into red and staying there. I've never done spin but I would suggest you speak to the instructors about what would be most beneficial. Just because you're not going to die does not mean you're doing an optimal work out.

@chocOrCheese hi - see I've read that link before and it states we shouldn't be in the Red for large blocks. If you're in the red at 92 you're going at a 9 basically and it's not meant to be sustained for long...

It’s your medication

@ivykatie can you elaborate?

I joined the gym in January and didn’t start levo til the end of Feb and was already seeing these high numbers. I know it’s a symptom of being over medicated but that doesn’t make sense so much in my case.

... @ivykaty44 I’m just remembering now some vague comment the Endo made about my heart having to work too hard, this is when I was first getting diagnosed with hashimotos, but it’s still high and now I’m medicated... it’s just not making sense is it

Sorry I should have probably put it’s your thyroid disease causing this, rather than medication by which I meant thyroxine.

You could ask the endocrinologist to explain, but I’m not sure how much you’d get from them. I don’t have a thyroid any more and I asked years ago and my endocrinologist was vague, which I put down to the fact that there is probably a lack of research on thyroid disease & the effects of exercise 😪😪😪😪

And I just keep exercising, going to the gym, climbing hills and ditched the HRM in the end when the watch broke.

@ivykaty44 I get you - that makes sense - yea I did bring it up with her and she was pretty vague and im none the wiser. Love it - you’re dead right to ditch the numbers obsession thanks massively for your comments on my bike thread btw too!

Blimey mine goes up to 230-240, now I’m worried!!

My resting HR is about 50 and I consider myself to be pretty fit (run 23 minute 5kms, training for a half Ironman, have completed marathons etc.) and my HR easily reaches 210 with proper exertion (Intervals for example which I’m guessing is pretty similar to what you’d be doing in a spin class). I average 160-180 on a normal training run depending on what intensity I’m going for.

It sounds like you’re just working hard to me! Have you liked at a HR zone calculator? It might help you make sense for your HR and help you to work out what you want to be aiming for?

Mine can go really weird sometimes, up to 220 even at a slowish run. I can tell it's doing it though, I feel very odd sort of wallowy. I've had an ECG, x-ray, ultra scan and worn a hr monitor for 3 days recording everything (of course I didn't have an episode then). Consultant doesn't appear concerned but I hate the feeling and do worry. Does seem as though there are a few of us on here with a similar type of condition. Exercise must be bad for you! 🤦

@TinyMystery I just checked my monitor and my RHR is listed as 50 too! Like @itsallabitbleak I kinda know when it’s peaking too I feel like I’m getting a rush on my skin, it’s not unpleasant!

I’m going to park my worries and crack on. I am feeling great, but I’m going to push my Endo at next appt in two weeks for more.

Thanks everyone for replying, I’ve very much appreciated it.

@TinyMystery I just reread your post, you are obviously very VERY fit! Respect!!

I would ask your endocrinologist some particular questions rather than a general question

For example

When I’m exercising should I be keeping my heart rate below a certain rate for the safety of my heart & if so what is the rate?