Expert: Lawrence Jay Rappaport <B>M.D.</B> - 10/10/2005
Question Dr. Rappaport,
Thank you once again for your prompt reply to my last question.
I have another question that relates to exercising.I have been jogging for almost 4 years. I usually run a pace of 5.7-5.8, and I usually run 4-6 miles per session. Over the years, I have run anywhere from 1-3 times a week. Although, for the past couple of months, I have been running 1X a week, and once or twice I have even skipped a week. My question is this:
This past Friday, which was 30 days past by LMP (26 day cycles), I jogged on the treadmill for about 50 minutes. Initially, I started running at a much faster rate 5.5 (one time around the track), but I started to get a headache so I kept slowing down until I felt completely comfortable which was at a pace of 4.5. Although, I didn't speak to anyone while running, I wasn't out of breathe and once I had completed my very slow jog, I felt great. Then yesterday, I purchased a heart rate monitor. As soon as I started running at the same pace as I did the day before (4.5), my heart rate jumped to 189 and I started once again to get a headache and a bit winded. I stopped for a minute until my heart rate was normal and started walking at a pace of 3.9 because that was all my body could handle.
Although, I don't know what my heart rate was, I am now very concerned that I have caused damage from running for a long period of time ~ (50) minutes with a very high heart rate. I thought it would be OK because I wasn't winded and I felt good, but now I am very concerned. If I were running at a dangerous level, wouldn't I feel it?
Also, I ran one other time 16 days past LMP, at a fast pace for about 5 miles. Afterward, I was quite tired. Would this have any effect at all on the pregnancy due to the fact that it was so early in my cycle?
Thank you for your time,
Julie
Answer It is not wise to allow your heartrate to get so high. If you start running and your heartrate goes so high, you should check with a cardiologist to see what is going on. You may be stressing your heart and, in turn, the baby's heart, especially since you start to get a headache every time you increase your speed. This is beyond my expertise, so you should check with a cardiologist or stop running for awhile.
