Monday, December 21, 2009 harley asks

Q: I am a 74 yr old woman 130 lbs at the gym my,rbm went to 177 after 5 min on machine

i exercise at least 3 times a week at a gym and eat healthy and weight between 127 and 130!

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Answers (2)

MonicaRD

12/22/09 1:31pm

Hi Harley,

According to the American Heart Association, maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age, which for you should be around 146 beats per minute. You want to maintain a target heart rate at 50-85% of that number while exercising. Make sure your physician is aware of and approves of the exercise you are doing and that your heart rate went up to 177 while working out. The younger we are, generally, the higher our maximum heart rate is, so 177 is not abnormal, it is just not the estimated number for a woman of 74. Also, your weight is not the only indicator of your heart health. You may be only 130# but still have heart issues that need to be addressed. I suggest you discuss this number and any future exercise with your physician prior to further exercise.

Best of luck,

Monica M. Skidmore, MS, RD, LDN

harley

12/22/09 2:46pm

Thank you for your answer,I have been exercising at least 3 times a week for the last 25 years and have been a weight watcher as long! This is the first time my heart rate went up that fast and that high! I eat samon and fresh fruit berries, being the main fruit at breakfast also egg substitiutes,veggies a cardio supplement! My last blood workup on 3/7/09 was total cholesterol was 198 and hdl 75 ldl 109 and triglycerides 68

MonicaRD

12/22/09 2:54pm

Hi Harley,

That's fantastic. It sounds like everything is right where it should be! Congratulations. Since this is something new for you, I would definately contact your physician. He/she may want to do further work up, especially if it continues. Unfortunately, sometimes we can do all of the right things and still have genetics or other stressors that can cause us problems. Don't underestimate any symptoms. If 177 beats per minute is a concern to you, call your physician.

Best of luck,

Monica M. Skidmore, MS, RD, LDN

Mike Farris

12/22/09 2:02pm

Hi Harley,

Exercise and weight control are good, but do not prevent heart disease...which is the #1 killer of women over age 60. It's our fast food and processed food diet that killing us. It's very difficult to get all the vital nutrients we need from food alone. I'm 70 and take a cardio supplement to stay heart healthy.

Yours for Great Health,

Mike Farris

Certified DPA Technician

harley

12/22/09 2:53pm

Hi I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question! I also take a cardio supplement and my diet I have to say is on the healthy side,I eat fresh fruit and mostly berries(blueberries and strawberries) and also other fresh fruit! I have Salmon at least once a week and many times twice! I rarely have beef! I have excercised for the past 25 years and am also a weight watcher as long! I was so surprised to see my heart rate go up this high and it is the first time it has happened! My total cholesterol is 198 as of 3/7/09 adn the breakdown is hdl75 ldl 106,triglycerides 68 Thanks again for taking the time to answer !

Q: I am a 74 yr old woman 130 lbs at the gym my,rbm went to 177 after 5 min on machine

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