Training heart rate zones post angioplasty?

[BillyMct]

Hi I'm 5months since I had an angioplasty procedure and back into getting my fitness back. Currently mountain biking upto 3hrs a week (3x 1hr sessions) and regularly see HR zone 4 for about 20% of my ride with occasion bursts up to max HR/HR zone 5 about 2~3 mins if trying to maintain speed up a long hill. I do get chest (centre to LHS) aches gripes post excersise which seem to last a while into the evening post ride. Trying to work out what is normal or safe. Note I'm not exhausted at the end of these activities and could probably go harder (if safe). My HR zones were set based my age by the HR device used zone 4 145~157bpm zone 5 157-168 and I'm on a minimal dose of beta blocker. Am I over thinking it, cardio rehab team said HR rates are meaningless due to betablocker though unclear if running a high up max hr is something I should avoid when on a betablocker.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Sorry to hear rehab team did not answer your question as they should be offering guidance. If I estimate your age as 55 and take in the fact you are on a beta blocker I think your HR is going to high - but I am not medically qualified.

Might be worth calling your GP.

[KEN65]

Hi Billy, At my rehab they said to reduce it by 10% to allow for the BB, to get an correct hb.

[Phil-52]

Hi Billy. As a runner I've now come to an acceptance that post quad bypass times will be slower than pre bypass times. Seems like an obvious statement but I think deep down we all try to get back the form we once had. I'm also on beta blockers and I find that running up a hill brings my HR to peak at 160 ish( it has gone 170 during a half marathon) . The key is to slowly bring your fitness up rather than over exert yourself at your current fitness level.

Good luck with the training

Phil

[Marco2764]

Hi, I had the same procedure as you 9 months ago and I am keen on biking and hills. As soon as I saw the heart rate zones you are hitting that rings alarm bells with me.

I presume you have been through a rehab team and they explained how your body now works now you are on a beta blocker even minimal dose ( I have 1.25 bisoporol). You have to instantly knock off 30 BPM just for these tablets. They don't want your heart spinning higher than 130 Bpm, the tablets are a safeguard to prevent overstress on your heart and arteries.

I am 58 and fit. It's taken a long time for me to accept my new heart rate zones especially on a bike. If I go over 120 for more than 5 mins I pay a price in aches and lethargy for days. If I stay under 120 ( I used to go to 130/145 pushing it) I can go out for longer and not suffer.

You are still a bit early at 5 months to push hard, it's a slow road. It's horrible to accept that you are not quite as good as you were before, but at least you are still fighting.

Please talk to your cardio team lead about your expectations and gain advice from them or you are possibly going to undo the good work

[MrNT]

I had a heart attack and angioplasty 8 months ago. Always kept fit, circuit training being by sport of choice. I did cardiac rehab and followed all the advice. Returned to the gym but then tried circuit training at 6 months post event. Heart rate shot up to 160 and it worried me a lot. Looked for advice on this site, the heart attack trip adviser! Have since discussed my scenario with my GP and a supportive gym instructor. They both suggest to listen to the body and do what feels right. No need to rush things, build up gradually. If your body is complaining you’re probably over doing things. I increased my training intensity gradually in the gym and have returned to circuits this week. I currently have similar heart rate readings to you but I am not having any issues post exercise. I think we have to accept that a heart attack has caused scarring so there will be a loss of capacity. Keeping fit is an important part of my life and I intend to continue. But rest is also important. Obviously we all have different scenarios. But if helps others. I feel as good as new.........just taking a few more pills than 8 months ago. Good luck.

[mandm65 in reply to MrNT]

Couldn’t agree more, we must listen to our body and react/adjust accordingly. I suffered the same fate last year and ran a marathon 8 months later, see below link.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

I agree, its sensible to increase training intensity gradually and keep your cardio team in the loop. I was too informed not to allow my HB above 130bpm during exercise and I must not run more than 5K. I have been running well over that distance because i know i don’t get any issues during or post run.

My cardio team advised me to reduce my workload, which i did. My Average weekly mileage was over 40 per week but i have reduced it to 20 Mile per week, unsure this 'extra' running would cause any problem in the future?

Last month my cardiologist did a 24H HR Holter monitor test. While wearing the monitor went out for a run. I usually wear Garmin HR monitor to keep an eye on HR but due to Holter I could not wear my Garmin so had no way of knowing what my HR was. Later i was informed by my cardio team that during my run i reached Max HR 166. It was not intentional neither I paid any attention to HR, I just ran the 10K as i felt and did not even push and yet i hit max HR 166.

The point is we might have same/similar conditions but our bodies react differently so we must have the flexibility to adjust accordingly. I tend to have these ‘fruitful’ discussions with my cardio team and sometime we just agree to disagree.

Whatever you do keep smiling.

[BillyMct]

Quick update, my GP surgery bounced me to A&E where they found good bp, ecg and slighty raised protein but nothing conclusive, after a night in they couldn't pin the aches on anything specific but I did get to see a cardio specialist who advised staying out of HR zone 5. I think my problem was following the borg scale as I could still have a conversation at the pace I used that brought the high HR zone so will need to pay more attention to the zones I'm in when cycling rather than relying on how breathless or not I feel. Maybe my legs and lungs are able to write cheques my heart cant cash. Cheers for all the advice comments.