High heart rate when exercising ?

[Scotland321]

High heart rate when exercising ?

I am 28 years old and growing up I have always felt really dizzy when doing exercise and put it down to being unfit ( even though I played netball at a high level training 4 times a week). I have also got really hot quickly from exercising ( and really sweaty quickly).

I have been very active throughout my life ( and since my teenage years I am always going to the gym, walking).

6 years ago I was training for a marathon and on 5 of my long training runs I got so dizzy I had to sit down and couldn’t see it was horrible a horrible feeling. I didn’t think much of it again just that I was unfit.

3 years ago I was in the gym and I got so dizzy that I fell. This again happened out on a normal run.

I then went to the doctor ( on more than one occasion and had to push for answers). I had a ecg and heart rate monitor and they found out everything is normal, well I do have a small leak in one of my valves but apparently it’s very common, but when exercising my heart rate is between 180 - 220. It will be in this zone very quickly after I start a run ( maybe 5 minutes in) so really if I run for half an hour it will sit above 180 for 25 minutes.

During the day when walking it will sit around 140.

My resting is in its 70’s.

I have been prescribed atenolol ( well I had to push for something as I didn’t feel comfortable with my heart being that high and getting dizzy) which I take when doing high intensity exercise but I don’t take on a day to day basis.

Has anyone else had this?

The doctors don’t seem concerned with my heart rate but I feel it’s very high and that I shouldn’t be getting dizzy and falling when I exercise.

[mistymolly]

Sorry you are unwell. I have a myocardial bridge and feel unwell when I exercise or stand now. Most tests come back normal. A good cardiologist will spot it during an angiogram. I would keep insisting that someone listens to you. Don't overdo it with the exercise. Keep fighting until you get the help you need. I wish you well

[jimmyq]

I think you are supposed to take Atenolol and the like every day. You should discuss it with your doctor and/or call the BHF Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311 (office hours) and talk to a cardiac nurse about it.

[Ianc2]

Assuming that your BMI and waist/height ratios are normal, and that you keep yourself well hydrated at about 3 litres of water a day. Have you been tracking your blood pressure before and after exercise?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! To get into a steady state with Atenolol can take two weeks from starting treatment so an ad-hoc approach is inappropriate. If taking it in the morning causes dizziness it can (under medical guidance) be changed to the evening or a lower dose twice daily.

[3rup8ti]

I wish i could meet you,we could share our experiences that may built your confidence .