Running Heartrate 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Trimark]

Hello to to all fellow HA victims who like me are lucky enough to still be able to run!

Brief history

I had a HA caused by a blood clot in my RCA last December. I had 2 stents fitted & was lucky in so much as minimal damage was caused to the heart muscle.

Qustion

Prior to my HA my resting Heart rate was around 40 and when running it would be around 150ish.

Since my HA my resting Heart rate has now settled to around the same but when running I struggle to get it above 125.

I appreciate compared to other people this is hardly a significant problem but just wondered if any other runners out there have had a similar issue or understand what might be the cause.

My consultant is not concerned & said carry on as you are. He does not think this issue is caused by medication!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions offered,

[mjames1]

What medication are you on? A number of medication's can lower exercise heart rate, including beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.

Jim

[Trimark in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim, thanks for your reply. My consultant does not seem to think the meds are an issue but for the record I am on

Forty MG statins, Ramipril, Aspirin, Prasugrel & omeprazole

Thanks Mark

[mjames1 in reply to Trimark]

I agree with your consultant. The meds listed should not repress your exercise heart rate.

Jim

[AmandaLouise77]

Are you on a beta blocker? This will keep your pulse low, even during exercise

[Trimark in reply to AmandaLouise77]

Hi Amanda, thanks for your reply. No im not on Beta Blockers!

[Sanmo]

Just a guess and nothing more, but is your heart now working more efficiently therefore doesn't need to work so hard?

[TasteLessFood4Life]

hello -

The 220-age, will give you a rough guide/estimate. There is linear decline with age it seems.

Are you performing at the same level with the lower heart rate? I used to be a pretty decent short distance runner back in the days, but nowhere to that level of fitness now despite being healthier and working out almost daily. I have to accept that with age, your peak performance declines especially after 35.

Lower HR is usually not a cause of concern if you dont have other symptoms.

Finally, good to listen to your body during exertion, not a bad thing to overdo it. I am not a big fan of high intensity workouts or long cardio workouts if you have any kind of heart issues.

[Trimark in reply to TasteLessFood4Life]

Hi, many thanks for your reply. I am 65 and totally agree performance is only going in one direction as I get older! I was just curious as my resting heart rate has returned to 40 but my active HR has had a step change. My consultant has said not worry about it I just wondered if anybody else had had a similar situation.

Many thanks

Mark

[TasteLessFood4Life in reply to Trimark]

Hi,

I would probably discuss it, but if you dont have any symptoms, I wouldnt worry too much about it. If your level of fitness is the same as before, but you see a step-change in your heart-rate - worth a discussion. There are factors that could affect the HR, medication is one of them

[counsellor-neil]

I’m in a similar situation regarding low heart rate. Haven’t had a heart attack, though have been under cardiac investigation for nearly two years now. This was started as I passed out running, which was a few months after I had completed C25K and had continued running. Visited my GP and they did an ECG which showed 38 beats per minute. Which is when all the investigations began. I have a resting heart rate of low 40s at night when sleeping it can reduce to high 30s. When running my heart rate rarely rises above 120. Though I generally run at a slowish pace. I’m not out to win races 😂. My heart consultant, who I saw couple of weeks ago was not at all concerned with the low heart rate and said to keep on running. On the odd occasion that I really push myself, my heart rate can climb to 150s. It will take me just over 3 hours to run a half marathon. Are you running short or long distances? An MRI showed 60% blockage in one artery, which consultant wasn’t worried about. I take 20mg statin and 75mg aspirin and Lansaprol. Appreciate as I haven’t had a heart attack, this may all be irrelevant to your post. Apologies if it feels so. Oh, and I’m 67.

[Trimark in reply to counsellor-neil]

Hi Counsellor Neil,

Thanks for your reply. My resting HR is 40 which is what it was before my HA. My active HR has definitely reduced since my HA. It concerned me to begin with but my consultant has told me not to be concerned. I was just curious if it has happened to anyone else. I am 65 & can still run 5k in 24 minutes so I don’t think it is effecting performance. As I said before I do appreciate I am very lucky compared to others and just wondered if there was an explanation for the change!

Many thanks for taking the time to reply

Mark

[Casualvisitor]

Hi Trimark,

I'm not runner ( dodgy knees) but I'm on beta blockers etc following a heart attack.

Pre heart my resting HR was around 65. I could get my heart rate up to 150 bpm on some intense cycling or rowing.

Now on a solid rowing session ,even though I know I'm putting in effort I probaly max out at around 125 bpm, average 114 .

I don't mind being in the staying fit zone ( rather then the full on aerobic zone) as it's more easier to manage and less stressful on the heart.

My cardio rehab nurse try not to measure your excericse by HR but by Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) as beta blockers mess with heart rate.

hope that helps?

[Trimark in reply to Casualvisitor]

Hi Casualvisitor,

Thanks for your reply. Very good point regarding RPE, you know when you’re working hard despite what your HR is!

Thanks Mark