186 BPM too much?

[5Chord]

I'm 51 yrs old and I ride motocross for fun and fitness and recently I bought a Garmin 410 Forerunner watch and heart rate monitor combo. I was a little concerned when I saw my heart rate averaged 174 Bpm and topped out at 186bpm during 4 back to back 5 lap motos.

My girlfriend says it can't be right and if it is I should see a doctor. I'm not sure what my resting heart rate is, but I feel fine.

Here's the Garmin activity report: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/314110889

[Dunewar]

161 on average is high. How is the breathing? Still able to talk or are you just holding on? What is you rest heart beat (measured first thing in the morning)?

In any case, a dicters visit as check up when doing high intensity stuff at 51 is never a bad idea.


Four wheels good, two wheels better

[5Chord]

Originally Posted by Dunewar

161 on average is high. How is the breathing? Still able to talk or are you just holding on? What is you rest heart beat (measured first thing in the morning)?

In any case, a dicters visit as check up when doing high intensity stuff at 51 is never a bad idea.


Four wheels good, two wheels better

Can't do much talking when busting out laps! ....Breathing is fine and I feel great after... .I call it my Motobuzzzz

[Motomedic]

Back when I was racing bicycles in my youth 185bpm wasn't unheard of, but pretty near my max. Resting heartbeat (i.e. first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed or doing anything) was around 45. When training I tried to stay between 110 and 160.

Now that I'm old and fat (45 and 210lbs) resting HR is around 60 and if I tried to hit 185 bpm I'd probably keel over.

[swimmer]

Max heart rates vary and personally I wouldn't worry about hitting 186bpm if I were 51 (I'm 41). I'd be more concerned if at 160bpm you felt like you were going to keel over. The biggest factor for you is probably your overall health. Is riding a motorcycle your only exercise? Overweight or other bad habits? The untrained heart hitting high maxes is different than the trained heart doing the same rate.

I am very fit and have been for most of my life. My resting heart rate now is in the low 40's. My max heart rate has always been on the low side so compared to others doing the same sport. People are different.

Still, if you are concerned enough to post on here it might be a sign to go see your doctor and get his/her opinion. Don't want to take the issue lightly.

[100mpg]

That thing tells you how many calories you burned? Pretty neat. I can't help you on the HB question, I think my resting HB is 140. I gotta quit smoking!

[fallingoff]

when I was 51

fit not fat as I am today

I used to do hill sprints

checked, went to over 195 bpm

when your fit ok

now 3 years later I think it would kill me

also if you have done strenuous exercise all ur life

ur body is used to it

listen to your body

maybe go and get a stress test

cheers

[cogitate]

You might want to consult a physician, maybe get a cardiogram. See if there are any anomalies.

Your max heart rate should be 220 minus your age, so that would be 169. You get a training effect at 80 percent of that number, so let us say appx. 136 bpm. Your number is kind of high. I have two friends that had issues that needed to be addressed, on e by surgery, due to a birth defect in his heart he did not know he had.

I wouldn't be too worried, but get it checked. And maybe your heart rate monitor is a bit optimistic.

[craigincali]

If you are concerned about to see a Dr. After the tests you will feel better and race even harder!!