39 and max heart rate of 195bpm when exercising

[susan198130]

I'm 39 and not overweight. I have a healthy BMI, but I have noticed when I exercise, sometimes my heart rate gets super high. I just did a half hour intense HIIT workout and my heart rate peaked at 195bpm, and was frequently at around the 180-185bpm mark according to my Fitbit. I do push myself when I work out and I certainly don't feel like I'm about to die during exercise. I personally feel that I push myself to the max of my ability, but I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about?

I know they say that athletes can get quite high heart rates, but I most certainly am nowhere near an athlete.

The higher it gets the less fit you are! Athlete's rates are much lower than normal peoples! You should aim for your heart rate to not exceed 220 minus your age, so keep to no more than 181.

That would make sense, but I've been working out for 30-60 minutes at least 5 times a week for the past 2 years... so I'd think that wouldn't make me 'unfit' with this amount?

If you push your heart rate too high for sustained periods it can be dangerous. The rule of thumb is 220 - your age, so for you your max should be 181 and if you find yourself going over that you should back off a bit.

Depends on the fitness tracker too. I wear a Samsung and a fitbit and there can be a big difference in the maximum heart rate recorded e.g. one said 169 and the other said 193 for the same exercise class is did.

I'd take it with a pinch of salt tbh. Is resting heart rate not a better indicator of physical fitness?

Check with a chest strap one.

I certainly don't feel like I'm about to die during exercise

Am pretty sure you would feel like dying if your heart rate was too high for your body to handle. I dunno if it's real or false reading, but I do know that how you feel is the best symptom to pay attention to.

Nothing to worry about. Maximum heart rate is hugely variable, and the 220-age thing is largely bollocks.

It sounds like you have a max heart rate of around 200, and are clearly doing well at the “high intensity” bit of hiit!

I am 44 and averagely fit, and my max HR is about 200. When I was 20 and much, much fitter, it was around 230.

You’ll know if you get to your max HR, as you’ll start to feel really ill, probably feel or be a bit sick, and when you reach your max hr, you’ll faint! (that is why max tests are so horrible,but not dangerous for the vast majority of people)

If you feel fine, you’re not at your max HR!

This is normal and nothing to worry about. Athletes (or well-trained people generally) have lower RESTING heart rates. They also tend to be able to access higher heart rates during exercise than less fit people.

If you feel fine and recover well after exercise with your heart rate returning to normal over the following hours it is nothing to worry about.

Don't limit yourself to 220-age that is absolutely not what that formula is for!

Fitbits are not highly accurate. They use the same technology as some medical devices (photoplethysmography) but readings can be affected by a lot of environmental factors. They are fine for telling you whether you're likely to be in target heart rate zone when exercising, but not to give an exact reading.

Most people will not tolerate a heart rate around 195 for any length of time, because the frequency of the heart's contractions doesn't give enough time for it to refill with blood between pumps, which reduces the blood flow to your muscles. This isn't dangerous (unless you have other medical issues) but it will make you feel crap and often make you feel faint. It's pretty unlikely that your HR is staying at very high rates for long, if you feel well enough to exercise .

The higher it gets the less fit you are! Athlete's rates are much lower than normal peoples! You should aim for your heart rate to not exceed 220 minus your age, so keep to no more than 181

This is nonsense. You are confusing maximum heart rate with resting heart rate