Low Pulse= Not Achieving Workout Stage?

[gwynne 14]

Hi All,

I've been taking Aspirin for blood thinning purpose since 4 years ago due to a Angioplasty done. Sleeved for nearly 3 weeks now.

Everytime I run on the treadmill, regardless how fast, how long, even when i thought i was going to die, my pulse never pass the 100/min mark...

I read a chart that says at my age, to get into the body work out zone, it should be at 130/min.

My goodness, am i doing something wrong?

Any advise is much appreciated. Thank you!

[FluffyBleu76 32]

Have you had a stress test? Get clearance from your PCP to work out. Once you get clearance, ask a trainer at the gym if you can get a VO2 max test (this measures how efficiently your body transports and uses oxygen during incremental exercise- in short, how fit you are).If the trainer can't do it, ask your doctor or find out where you can go to get this test. Because you have had a history of cardiac issues, don't worry too much about reaching the target heart rate. This is just a guideline and it will vary depending on your overall health. Right now, as long as you are moving, it is good thing. Don't stop that but don't push yourself because of what you read on a chart. Good luck to you and please keep moving :-)

[gwynne 14]

WOw! Thanks for the advise, I will check with my doctor when I see him next week!

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Are you on a beta blocker or any other heart med besides aspirin?

[Lissa 2,631]

My pulmonologist does NOT want me getting into the recommended heart rate range set by the gym. According to the gym's calculator, I should be at 141 to 160 for my age. My doc wants me in the 120 range, maximum. I recently had a follow-up EKG to see how I'm doing and he sees improvement in my EKG at this level of cardio, so I'm going to continue what I've been doing.

Ask your doctor for a specific number and, if your meds are keeping you from achieving that number, what should you be looking for when you work out. For me, it's more important that I get to a point where I'm sweating and continue to sweat while working out than that I achieve some arbitrary number.

Since you've already had issues, you definitely need the doc's guidance on this one. You'll also want regular follow-ups to see if your goals need to be adjusted as you become healthier.

[gwynne 14]

Are you on a beta blocker or any other heart med besides aspirin?

Hi blackberry juice!

Yes indeed.other than aspirin, i'm on atenolol and cozaar... Do they do anything?

Ps: you are a true inspiration to me!! So envious ! Thanks for taking time to help

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Hi blackberry juice!

Yes indeed.other than aspirin' date=' i'm on atenolol and cozaar... Do they do anything?

Ps: you are a true inspiration to me!! So envious ! Thanks for taking time to help[/quote']

Thanks!

Beta blockers slow down your heart rate, so I suspect that's what's causing your HR to stay low even though you are really pushing yourself. I'd run it by your doctor, regardless.

[gwynne 14]

My pulmonologist does NOT want me getting into the recommended heart rate range set by the gym. According to the gym's calculator' date=' I should be at 141 to 160 for my age. My doc wants me in the 120 range, maximum. I recently had a follow-up EKG to see how I'm doing and he sees improvement in my EKG at this level of cardio, so I'm going to continue what I've been doing.

Ask your doctor for a specific number and, if your meds are keeping you from achieving that number, what should you be looking for when you work out. For me, it's more important that I get to a point where I'm sweating and continue to sweat while working out than that I achieve some arbitrary number.

Since you've already had issues, you definitely need the doc's guidance on this one. You'll also want regular follow-ups to see if your goals need to be adjusted as you become healthier. [/quote']

Hi Lissa,

Thank you. You are right. I guess the important thing is to get the toxins out by sweating my arse off rather than being too worried about a chart.

One thing for sure i'm not giving up! :-)

Thank you for taking time to help me!

[Lissa 2,631]

Gwynne, Good luck! Yes, sweating is a wonderful thing! I did sprint intervals on the bike this morning and was thinking about this post while I was sweating my tush off. My heart rate was in the low 130s and I was dripping sweat. Had I been at the recommended heart rate for my age, I'd have probably passed out.

Sprint intervals (for me) are this: I ride for about 10 minutes until I'm warmed up, then I do 30 seconds as fast as I can make the bike go, drop down to a slower pace for 2 minutes, then I increase the fast pace to 1 minute, down for 2 minutes, then up for 1 minute 30 seconds, down for 2 minutes, then up for 2 minutes, down for 2 minutes. The last 5 minutes of my bike time, I use as a cool down to get my heart rate back into it's normal range. Otherwise, I can't stand up for a few minutes when I get off the bike. I have no clue if that's an accepted way to do it, but it has been working for me.

Good luck! You're doing great!