BPM .. Struggle

[Patrich]

Hi,

I went for a Run earlier in the week and must admit it was a struggle from the start, 10mins in I felt like I couldn't breath so I stopped, when I checked my bpm it was 189, I must say this scared me a little so zi stopped and slowly walked back home, hence I haven't had a Run as I was scared but today I did go and did my normal route in fact my pace was the best I've done in a while! So what's all that about ?? I have been doing lots of walking minimum of 12km most days and cycling 32km last one... am I doing too much ,??

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

3 questions:

1. How are you measuring your heart rate?

2. Did it feel like it was beating at 189 bpm (trust me, you would know)

3. How old are you?

[Patrich in reply to John_W]

Hi John

Using my FitBit

I didnt feel great, I felt I couldn't breathe

65 nearly 66 lol

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Patrich]

Hmm.....fit bits (or similar) are not a good method to measure heart rate (imho)

I believe (and find) one with a chest band gives a far more accurate reading

[Patrich in reply to Instructor57]

No maybe not but either way the bpm went from 151 to 189 in the short time I was going the Run it's still jumped even if it's not accurate

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Patrich]

I understand what you say and your natural concerns, however, I think you are missing my point .

Optical h/r monitors are inherently unstable and become more so with movement .

So if you can accept that readings can be inaccurate then of course so can the jump that you see.

[liz163 in reply to Instructor57]

My daughter got an Apple Watch and that’s very accurate with measuring heart rates.. she kept saying she had palpitations and when she looked it said her heart rate was around 200bpm. I’m a nurse and checked manually and felt like it was right. Trip to a&e confirmed this was spot on and she was in svt and took 6 hours to get her out of it. We’re currently waiting for a cardiology apt.. we’d never have known as she had no symptoms of breathlessness or feeling ill.. literally was a lifesaver! Suppose it depends on each device much not all devices are inaccurate 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to liz163]

Very pleased to hear it helped your daughter !

[Patrich in reply to liz163]

Thank you 😊

[Patrich in reply to Instructor57]

Noted 👍

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Patrich]

OK.

Fitbit's are nor reliable when it comes to heart rate.

At 65 yrs of age, your maximum heart rate would be about 145-165 anyway, so ignore any number above that.

Unable to breath? Sounds like you were going waaay too fast. You want JOG at a pace where your breathing is comfortable such that you can happily hold a conversation - it's a 'chatty' or 'conversational' pace.

Watch this - should help you:

youtube.com/results?search_...

[Patrich in reply to John_W]

Think it was just a bleep, my run was fine today 🤗

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

This is the recommended pace for C25k.

Enjoy your journey.