Expert: Brandon Briggs, MS - 1/16/2009

Question
Hi,
Last week I had a disagreement with my boss and afterwards my heart rate seemed to be high.  I put on my heart rate monitor and it was 150 bpm.  I decided to wear the HRM for the rest of the day and it seemed to stay elevated-over 120 bpm for most of the day.  When I wear the HRM during exercise (aerobics and strength training) my HR usually stays around 140.
So, my question is: does the heart "know" the difference between exercise vs. stress/anxiety when it beats faster?
Is it a good thing for your heart to beat faster?  Are the effects of say, doing an aerobic workout for 30 minutes the same as if I was stressed?  I know this probably sounds dumb, huh?  It just got me to thinking on this day in particular that I was stressed, I wore the HRM for about 12 hours and it said on the calorie counter that I burned about 2900 calories that day.  So, it just got me to thinking about heart rate vs. calories burned, and if it's a good thing or not for your HR to be elevated for an extended period of time.  

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Donna,

Exercise is really considered a stress in relations to your heart. The difference between getting your HR elevated because of exercise and let's say work related stress is controlling the level of elevation. Your body can only tell the difference if other muscles are involved. Calories burned is also related to the involvement of other muscles and their contractions. I can't really say that having your HR elevated for a 12 hour day is a good thing. That type of stressor is not healthy for you. I hope this answers your question.

Brandon