Some advice to lower my resting heart rate?

[Kisastar]

Hello everyone!

I just bought the Fitbit Alta HR, I only had it for a couple of days but it already gives me a lot to think about.

So my fitbit states that my resting heart rate is between 64 and 67, however whenever I check my heart rate during the day, it is between 74 and 82, which I think is quite high and whenever I stand up, it usually shows above 90. I also noticed that whenever I walk to commute to work, it goes up to 120 😮

I don't think I am having an unhealthy lifestyle -eating healthy food, don't drink coffee, fair amount of sleep, don't feel stress at all- although I don't exercise a lot (I have an average weight and would like to keep it that way) but seeing my heart rate getting so high for just a walk makes me wonder if I should start some cardio exercises.

Anyone has advice for a daily exercise please?

[Daves_Not_Here · Accepted solution]

Hi @Kisastar - I suggest you extend your walks and track your steps.  How much?  Start with increasing your baseline steps by 20%.

[Alicat2104]

It's normal for your heart rate to rise when it has to work harder... 

[Daves_Not_Here]

@Kisastar -- @Alicat2104 makes an interesting point -- having your heart rate elevate to 120 during a brisk walk may not be cause for alarm.

[Alicat2104]

This was my lunchtime walk yesterday. The harder you're working your body / heart, the faster the heart rate will be - it's just what happens.  Your RHR is actually quite good and changes with activity are nothing to worry about.

[Kisastar]

Can you define brisk? I don't think my pace is particularly fast or anything, just a casual walk from my place to work or the train station. But all your answers actually reassure me 🙂 Thanks a lot!

Still, I would like to start some daily exercise, especially that since I started working, I spend my days sitting behind a desk. Do you have any idea? 

[Daves_Not_Here]

@Kisastar - thanks, and yes, same idea as before - walk.  It's easy, low impact, free, and always available.  Plus, you can extend walking to a recreational activity of hiking in scenic locales.

[Colinm39]

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@Kisastar wrote:

Can you define brisk? I don't think my pace is particularly fast or anything, just a casual walk from my place to work or the train station. But all your answers actually reassure me 🙂 Thanks a lot!

Still, I would like to start some daily exercise, especially that since I started working, I spend my days sitting behind a desk. Do you have any idea? 

Here are the comparative speeds in kmh and mph

Divide 60 minutes by speed to get pace, for example I walk at about 5 kmh or 12'00" pace which gets my HR up into the cardio area... and 100% active minutes...somewhere close to "Walking for Exercise..".  If I use the interval method  I will burst into periods of Brisk....

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