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What Causes High Heart Rate And Shortness Of Breath While Doing Physical Activities?
Question: Hi, I am a very fit person who has been doing triathlon's for 4 years. Just this past 4 months or so my heart rate goes up significantly while training (highest during running). My resting pulse is around 65 during the day. Low 50's when I first get up. I start running and it spikes right away up to 180 - 190. Sometimes my XXXXXXX goes up to 200. I stop to catch my breath and it goes back down to 100ish within 15 seconds of stopping. I have had an ekg and it's normal. My iron level is normal. I just had a physical and no issues. I am 5', 125 lbs and work out at least 2 times a day most days. I am concerned with this high level of heart rate recently. I don't get weak or dizzy - just short of breath. I am 49 yrs old. I've been exercising my whole life. I ran a half marathon at 9 min miles with normal pulse (140 ish) last year. Now I run a slower 10 min miles and it spikes to 160+ to 200 on hills. Is this dangerous?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that your approximate maximal theoretical heart rate on extreme work load seems to be around your experienced heart rate (180-190 bpm).
There exist several formulas to calculate the normal maximal heart rate response on intensive physical exertion, such as: 220-age (years), or a newer equation which is supposed to be more accurate: 208-0.7xage.
Both of them give an approximate estimation of maximal HR although they may underestimate by around 20 - 25 bpm.
So, my opinion is you should calm down and decrease your exertion intensity, as a lower intensity training yields the same health benefits without the costs of any potential adverse effects.
Shortness of breath is normal to appear when running long marathons.
But, if it seems to be unusual, I recommend you performing an exercise cardiac ultrasound and an ambulatory ECG monitoring (Holter) while exercising (to rule out any potential arrhythmic events or transient valvular dysfunction, which are possible findings in elite athletes), before continuing such training.
Also a thyroid function test (to rule out a possible dysfunction)
and a complete blood count are advisable (to exclude anemia though your iron level is normal).
Remember that also a potential menopause (if you are actually experiencing it) with its subsequent hormone imbalances may contribute to such a clinical scenario.
Hope to have been helpful!
If you have further uncertainties feel free to ask me!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that your approximate maximal theoretical heart rate on extreme work load seems to be around your experienced heart rate (180-190 bpm).
There exist several formulas to calculate the normal maximal heart rate response on intensive physical exertion, such as: 220-age (years), or a newer equation which is supposed to be more accurate: 208-0.7xage.
Both of them give an approximate estimation of maximal HR although they may underestimate by around 20 - 25 bpm.
So, my opinion is you should calm down and decrease your exertion intensity, as a lower intensity training yields the same health benefits without the costs of any potential adverse effects.
Shortness of breath is normal to appear when running long marathons.
But, if it seems to be unusual, I recommend you performing an exercise cardiac ultrasound and an ambulatory ECG monitoring (Holter) while exercising (to rule out any potential arrhythmic events or transient valvular dysfunction, which are possible findings in elite athletes), before continuing such training.
Also a thyroid function test (to rule out a possible dysfunction)
and a complete blood count are advisable (to exclude anemia though your iron level is normal).
Remember that also a potential menopause (if you are actually experiencing it) with its subsequent hormone imbalances may contribute to such a clinical scenario.
Hope to have been helpful!
If you have further uncertainties feel free to ask me!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I haven't begun menopause yet. Also, I had a complete blood count and it was normal and I'm not anemic. I had ekg which was good, and my blood pressure is generally on the low to good side. I am contemplating the ultrasound / stress test. I wouldn't even be concerned with the relevant hr #s except it's only recent that they have been high during exertion. If my resting hr is low, would I need to worry about blood clot? Or other heart disease.
Brief Answer:
No any obvious risks of blood clotting of heart disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again, dear XXXXXXX
I couldn't find any correlation between your increased exercise heart rate and a potential blood clotting disorder or any other obvious heart diseases.
So you don't have to worry about this issue! As your medical check up has resulted normal, no medical evidence to support such suspicions exist.
But, for a better investigation of your cardiovascular status and its reaction during physical exertion, I recommend considering the above mentioned cardiac tests (exercise cardiac ultrasound, Holter monitoring).
You don't seem to be at a noticeable danger of any cardiovascular issue, but it would be wise to have a medical screening before continuing such a strenuous fitness.
That's my opinion.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
No any obvious risks of blood clotting of heart disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again, dear XXXXXXX
I couldn't find any correlation between your increased exercise heart rate and a potential blood clotting disorder or any other obvious heart diseases.
So you don't have to worry about this issue! As your medical check up has resulted normal, no medical evidence to support such suspicions exist.
But, for a better investigation of your cardiovascular status and its reaction during physical exertion, I recommend considering the above mentioned cardiac tests (exercise cardiac ultrasound, Holter monitoring).
You don't seem to be at a noticeable danger of any cardiovascular issue, but it would be wise to have a medical screening before continuing such a strenuous fitness.
That's my opinion.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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