Wednesday, November 19, 2008 burntdirt asks

Q: High heart rate and low blood pressure during exercise.

Hi,

I'm a 43 yr old male around 210 lbs. Wearing a heart rate monitor during exercise, my heart rate is max'ing out around 180. Also, occasionally my BP after exercise is quite low 85/58. I don't check my BP everytime, usually only when my work out felt more strenuous then normal. I exercise before lunch. I do have a bad habit of not drinking or eating anything after I wake up until right before I leave the house to work out. Then I'll grab some water and some peanut butter crackers. The bad habits of a rushed life. I will drink plenty during exercise. Are my symptoms as simple as dehydration or something more serious? What is the relationship between low blood pressure and high heart rate?

Thanks,

Gary

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Answers (2)

Lisa Nelson, Health Pro

11/19/08 6:26pm

Hi Gary,

Your heart rate during exercise is a little higher than the ideal. To calculate your target heart rate:

Max heart rate = 220 - age (220 - 43 = 177)

Ideally you should work out at 50-75% of your max heart rate.

177 x .50 = 89

177 x .75 = 133

So, your target heart rate is between 89 - 133 bpm. If you check and your heart rate is creeping up, decrease the intensity of your workout.

Having a lower blood pressure post workout is expected and one of the benefits of exercise. This lower blood pressure may last for several hours. A study found exercise drops blood pressure for 8-12 hours post exercise (the study was done on men with high blood pressure). Blood pressure also tends to be lower on days you exercise versus the days your inactive.

Of course, double check with your MD. I can only go off the numbers and information you give, your MD knows your complete medical background and whether or not you have other factors that are a reason for concern.

All the best,

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN

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mary

11/20/08 7:53am

I need more info to help out. But generally speaking if you were to show up in my ER with a fast heart rate and low BP it signifies heart failure. I agree with the other person that exercise is absolutely beneficial in lowering BP but this reading is too low! Do you become short of breath with this (more then you would normally expect fm exercising), are you currently on BP meds? They may need to be adjusted so tell your MD about this. Are you dizzy at all with this BP? And of course is there a family history of cardiac disease that may make you predisposed? Hitting 40 means taking more notice of ones self and having these things checked out- if for nothing else then peace of mind. Responsibility in your court sir. Good luck

Q: High heart rate and low blood pressure during exercise.

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