HR whilst walking

[Beffohol]

Does anyone else suffer with this. I walk most days for exercise. I live by the sea so always easy level walking. In a 40 Min walk my heart rate can spike at 182 (my resting hr is around 60) ...I don't feel unwell when this happens; not the usual AF symptoms (other than burping!!!)....do the same walk the following day and HR peaks at a mere 119....this happens on a regular basis. Should I be concerned or is this quite normal for AF sufferers?....still trying to work out what to blame on AF what to blame on hormones and age and what is some whole new joy.

[BobD Volunteer]

182 is quite high even for exercise. I think the old guide used to be 220 less you age as a max advisable rate. It may well be that you are in AF sometimes and not others. HR monitors are notoriously inaccurate when in AF.

The big question is how symptomatic are you and what treatment plan is in place. I know people who would rush to hospital with a rate that high so maybe you are largely asymptomatic.

[Beffohol in reply to BobD]

Still trying to figure my symptoms out actually....this whole heart thing only came to light when I was referred to the hospital for digestive issues....it is difficult to differentiate between them.. sometimes I wonder if they trigger each other 😵🤪

[stevesven]

Are you using fit bit

[Beffohol in reply to stevesven]

Yep...did wonder about the inaccuracies

[Clyde12 in reply to Beffohol]

I have been told to ignore the spikes on my Fitbit readings. It is a common occurrence apparently. I was given a Fitbit this time last yr and because if the spikes in HR, I started feeling my carotid pulse. Yes, it was fast on the Fitbit, but carotid pulse was far lower but was really irregular. I was diagnosed with AF a few months later.

[Staffsgirl in reply to Beffohol]

Fitbits were extremely inaccurate and unreliable when I tried using them. Tried two different ones. Finally concluded they won’t work reliably for my body. (Inaccuracies like registering steps when I was sleeping, and telling me I was resting when on long walks, etc etc. )

[Hidden]

Am I right that you have atrial flutter, sick sinus syndrome, a pacemaker and use a Fitbit?

[Beffohol in reply to Hidden]

Yes? Incompatible? I am still figuring out my symptoms....keeping a check when I feel shitty by recording it in a notebook so that when I go to my next pacing clinic I can see if those are the times I am in AF....I have digestive issues and it is difficult to differentiate sometimes

[Beffohol in reply to Beffohol]

PS....I used the Fitbit before I was diagnosed and to be honest it has been the best thing ever to get me up off my backside and out walking helping me to lose weight and stay healthy.,..er 😁

[Hidden in reply to Beffohol]

I have read unverified comments on the web that pacemakers can make fitbit readings unreliable. Nothing definite though.

[Kaz747]

If it’s measured on a Fitbit I wouldn’t stress. I could feel when my heart was going into AF when walking and my Fitbit would say 160, 170, 180 but I was still walking fine and at a reasonable pace so I doubt it was anywhere near that. In the past when my HR was that high I was breathless and suffering chest pains. When in AF the Fitbit is very inaccurate (I’ve tested it against the hospital monitors a few times).

[Beffohol in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks so much....I did actually consider it and was going to invest in the charge 3 Fitbit (mine is charge2) as the HR monitor is supposed to be more accurate....I need to research this a bit more first 😁

[Hidden in reply to Beffohol]

I had a charge 2, just got apple watch but havent checked its accuracy yet

[Hidden]

If you are using a device, check its accuracy. My fitbit is accurate when Im at rest but exercising, it might say my pulse is 180, when really it is 90

[Beffohol]

Cheers....will check it against the old fashioned way next time ....🤞hoping this is the issue solved....coz other than the usual tiredness from walking, I feel fine. Thanks

[Rubymurray25]

Just a point of reference , my resting heart rate using 80mg of Sotalol twice a day averages 45-50 bp, I also live by the sea and like to go for a 2-3 mile walk everyday, I walk reasonably briskly and hit the 85 bp mark. I use the free Cardio App on my iphone which I recently checked it against the hospital monitor and it is amazing accurate. When in AF it will show reading between 33-153 bp unlike a blood pressure monitor which just states " E " for error.

[Beffohol in reply to Rubymurray25]

Thanks so much...this makes lots of sense on top of the other advice offered. I will look into the free app thingy now. Similarly it was the BP monitor saying error that got me referred to the cardiologist initially (checking my BP when I felt shitty) ....perhaps Fitbit would be better showing an error rather than a HR way over reality 🤔...many thanks

[john-boy-92]

Unless you were walking the SW coast footpath around parts of North Cornwall, that is a high heart rate. Some heart rate monitors (HRMs) give false readings from static in your clothes. Most of the current HRMs that read your pulse from skin contact on your wrist are inaccurate. A good quality HRM with a chest strap will give a more accurate reading. However, I have days when hard exercise gives me a heart rate of 150, and other days when I need to watch it like a hawk as it will jump from 175 to above 190.

[Beffohol]

Thanks....I figure that is the problem with me.....our NE coastline, whilst beautiful, is a relatively gentle walk. I am ditching looking at my Fitbit for HR and am using it for steps and logging exercise only 😁 I will, however, listen to my body. I know I need to exercise but I also know when I have overdone it 👍...I want to get fitter and slimmer....that will help with my heart/digestion too.