How do Sense heart rate zones impact AZM?

[evfjones]

Why did the heart rates go up so much to get active minutes? At 65 some of the zones are dangerous for me.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[t.parker]

@evfjones zones can be changed to lower ones if you want by lowering your max HR in the app settings. But why do you think it's dangerous? Age is not a determinant here. You may be 65 or older and still be able to push hard if you fit. If there is no medical issues then not going into higher HR is counterproductive for your overall fitness (amd person of 65 can get very fit, I met plenty of older folks who fall into thia definition). That's why I am curious where your thinking come from. If you suffer a medical condition that's a different story. O'm not trying discredit you but it's my own curiosity 🙂

[LZeeW · Accepted solution]

Hello @evfjones and welcome to the Community.  You wrote active minutes in your title.  It sounds like you upgraded to a Sense from an older model that gave active minutes, an out of date method for measuring activity.  The Sense gives active zone minutes and they are calculated differently.  Fitbit's active zone minutes are consistent with the CDC target heart rates and the default goals are based on the CDC activity recommendation for older adults.  There is no need for you to exercise at the higher heart rate rate zones.  The CDC lists brisk walking as a excellent way to meet your goals.

That being said, @t.parker is correct.  Some people should not exercise at higher heart rates and some are on medications that keep you from getting to the higher heart rates.  Your zones can be adjusted and we can help you with that.  I absolutely agree with the statement -- age is not a determinant here.

Like I wrote, we are here to help.

[evfjones]

The doctor has finally found a medication that stabilized my heart rate after a number of bouts of Afib. A downward adjustment of the categories by about 10 points would be more reasonable. Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone

[LZeeW]

@evfjones   I can give you a more precise number if you give me your average resting heart rate.  Your resting heart rate is part of the equation.  I ran the equation with a resting heart rate of 65 bpm.  It's my husband's RHR -- he had an ablation procedure for his persistent Afib and his cardiologist his happy with that number.  Please try the following:

• Tap on your profile avatar on your mobile app
• Scroll down to Activity & Wellness and tap on that
• Tap on Heart Settings
• Tap on Heart Rate Zones
• Look for Custom Max Heart Rate and toggle it to On
• Since you are 65, it probably says 155
• Tap on the Max Heart Rate and change it to 135

This will change your heart rate zones.  Your fat burn might not go down by 10 bpm, but it is a start.  See how that goes.  I was 65 when Fitbit introduced active zone minutes.  Fitbit's fat burn AZMs are supposed to be consistent with the CDC and WHO moderate activity.  Meaning a brisk walk, not a leisurely walk.  The CDC describes moderate activity as you can speak the words to a song, but you can't sing the song.

[evfjones]

Thank you! 65 is pretty close, so I just used that. I’m looking to an ablation soon.

[LZeeW]

Good luck!