Is your max heart rate high? Worryingly so? Mine sure is.

[Sebling]

I've begun running regularly and have been shocked by my consistent 170-200 bpm heart rate. I know rates differ for each individual, but I'd be interested to know how common this is. I'm a 41 year old male, so the usual estimate of my max is 179.

I only reach 200 bpm if I push myself, but even at a steady pace over an hour I'll hover between 165 and 185. I've adjusted Fitbit's max to 200bpm, but yesterday I was in "peak" for over an hour on a long run. I can hold a stilted conversation at this pace.

My resting heart rate is generally between 55 and 65 and Fitbit gives me a cardio fitness rank of 56, which I doubt I deserve.

What do others find? How many of you break the 220-minus-age estimate by this much? Is anyone else spending 1hr plus in peak?

[GershonSurge · Accepted solution]

I'd take your pulse manually when the Fitbit is showing a high rate. Sometimes, it gets stuck in harmonic of your cadence. This seems to be especially true in cold weather or hot weather. 

If you have any risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, poor diet, or high cholesterol, there is some reason for caution. If you are having a hint of chest pain or pain in the left arm, see your doctor. For peace of mind, and if you have good insurance, a visit with the doctor might be prudent.

If none of the above applies, I suggest reading 

The Endurance Handbook: How to Achieve Athletic Potential, Stay Healthy, and Get the Most Out of Your Body
by Philip Maffetone et al.
Link: http://a.co/5Lhp54I

This method will require you to slow down tremendously. Maybe even to a walk at first. After a thousand miles of running or so, you should be able to run the same speed with a  much lower heart rate. Then you will start to exceed what is likely if you continue your current path. 

Don't pay attention to his diet recommendations. They aren't healthy. 

[emili]

I am 47 and I never get to 200 whether I am steady state cardio or doing sprints. The highest I have ever had was 187 and that was at a full out run for over a minute. If I run for an hour, most of my time is spent between cardio and peak- majority being in peak if I am running 7MPH..

[Sebling]

I've manually measured my heart rate a few times and my Fitbit is about right. When I've got headphones in I can sometimes hear my heartrate, and it's plausibility 3 beats per second.

I'm quite lean, eat well and haven't felt any chest pain.

I'm Australian so don't need health insurance. I've raised it with my doctor who suggested I go with a speed at which I can hold a conversation relatively easily and come back if have any issues. That aligns with about 150-170bpm for me (free universal healthcare people - preventative medicine should be for everyone).

The recommendation of Phil Maffetone would be for me to train at 139bpm. I'll give it a go, but I've got the feeling that's about what I was at when I was riding my bike a lot. I was rarely out of breath, just cruising. Ironically that's in part why I decided to switch to running!!

I'm still interested in how common this HR may be. I'd be keen to dig deeper if it turns out it's highly rare.

[tango503]

I'm a spinner myself, but when I began 11 years ago, my heart rate was was running quite high. Over time, my heart has become more efficient, and my rate is around 30 bpm lower for the same perceived exertion. (I'm also 10 years older, so some of that rate is accounted for there). During a spin class I will often be half and half cardio and peak. Also, Fitbit calculates the "standard" rate, which will work for those who are out of shape, just beginning to exercise. If you're in shape, your max heart rate will be higher because your body adjusts to exertion. My current instructor suggests age x 0.7 and subtract from 208 for my max heart rate. Not a huge difference, but it is significant. Hope this helps.