Pain going uphill but not exercising?

[CC62]

So this is more a 'I'm curious' post to see if anyone has any thoughts on this as I've mentioned it to a couple of doctors who haven't actually offered any explanation!

I originally spoke to my doctor about a burning sensation I had when walking uphill which led to the suspected angina diagnosis. I now make sure I walk slowly uphill so not to exert myself and that prevents any pain though I do get out of breath (I think this is a meds side effect as I never had it before) but the thing is, I can do a 25min cardio interval routine and have no pain whatsoever! It's not overly intense - speed skating, side jacks, squat kicks and such but it does get my heart rate up 80-90 according to my watch (resting is around 50) and makes me warm and, let's say, in need of a shower! So why is it that I get pain walking uphill - I'm talking about an incline that takes less than a minute to get up nothing more - but not during a workout?

[Hidden]

I think you underestimate how much effort (work in Newtonian terms) going uphill takes. You are working against gravity and using a whole load of muscles.

Walking up my local hill with a heart rate monitor on takes me to 120bpm (resting 50) which is the highest rate I see all week.

2 years ago I used to run up that hill and see 185 bpm and repeating that 5 times was a good running workout. Runners will do hill sprints as their most intense (but shortest) workout of the week, something like 8 lots of 15 second hill sprints with 3 minutes rest in between which doesn't sound like a lot of actual running but going uphill is hard work!

[Smileyian]

Walking uphill actually takes more effort than you can imagine. Many large muscles and oxygen levels are pushed to limits as is heart function / HRate. My best wishes for a good outcome from your diagnoses.

[DM53]

Hi, this is interesting - it’s been happening to me too! I’m 2 years post HA and cardiac arrest and I’ve just recently started noticing this symptom when walking uphill or going upstairs too quickly. Tight burning sensation in the back of my throat and heaviness in shoulders and sometimes down my arms, mainly in pulse points. I have been using my GTN spray and this seems to help so my GP is querying angina. My HA was caused by my left coronary artery blocking and I had a stent fitted. It took a while to recover so this feels like a step backwards. I’ve been referred back to cardiology and have an appointment next week.

[CC62]

Thank you all to your responses. I am now doing an hour of cardio/boxing exercises every day and yet still find I don't get any pain so it's really interesting to know there is a reason behind it, still seems strange that a slight incline has me going at a snail pace though! 🙃

[Smileyian in reply to CC62]

I can relate to this CC2. I do 1.5 hours of Cardiac Rehab..... warm up, equipment work, cooldown and then HR, BP and weight. Been doing this for a year but often ( not always) pain and pulling discomfort in chest when walking up an average hill, even for short while. Of course now anticipate this and walk small baby steps. I must look comical to those overtaking me.

[CC62 in reply to Smileyian]

I know it's to do with different ways our bodies work but it just amazes me what I can do exercise wise at home (which in the grand scheme of things is not that intense but still, heart rate up 140bpm the other day - usually nearer about 110/120 I think - though not even sure if this is high for me! ) yet struggle up a small incline, as you say, people must wonder what I'm up to as I tend to usually walk at a reasonable pace then I turn into a snail!