Expert: Brandon Briggs, MS - 6/6/2009

Question
I am a 49 yr old mail. 1)When doing cardio my heart rate goes up very quickly to around 140 but i don't feel any pain or shortness of breath. I keep this rate for 15-20 minutes and keep on breathing by nose and can still talk easily but not very long sentences. But if I do any jogging it goes to 155 and I feel short of brath,but it comes down very quickly(1-2minutes)My resting heart rate(sitting) is 65-70. I also feel tired next day after exercise.
2)Yesterday I took my heart rate to 145 for 10 minutes after stopping it came back to 105 very quick and stayed there for 5 minutes untill I sit down when It came back down to 76. can you explain this please.Thankyou.


Answer
Hi Danial.

Based the information you have given me your THR should be 125 - 155. If your heart rate is going up very quickly it may be because your are deconditioned. You are passing the talk test when your heart rate is in the 140 range. When you jog your heart rated may be going to high and your body is not ready for that yet. There could be multiple reasons for you feeling tired the next day. Over training is one that pops up. If you are training too hard the day before your body may not be recovering from it as it should. I recommend that you train at a lower heart rate to increase your cardiovascular conditioning. When you begin not to feel challenged then increase your workload until you are.

Hope this helps. In good health,

Brandon