Panza

Hi, I'm an active regular cyclistand today it struck me, my HR is quite high compared to charts graphs and books. I'm 25yrs old but my HR is usually around 160-170 for recover and warm up, 185-195 during hard rides, and at ~200 for hard climbs, 204 is highest for sprinting but max sprinting isn't reliable.Should I be concerned ?

chasm54

No. Maximum heartrates vary widely between individuals but tend to be higher when you're young. Going over 200 bpm as a 25 year-old isn't unusual.

160 for a recovery ride seems quite high. Nothing to worry about, but it implies that your "recovery" ride is quite vigorous. Personally I like to recover in zone 1, which is closer to 60% of my max HR.

Looigi

Yeah. 195 was my max HR in my early 50's. I'm sure it was much higher in my 20's, but that was long before the advent of wireless HRMs, their widespread use, and people concerning themselves about it.

elcruxio

You might have higher heart rates than the average person. It's completely normal. I'm 26 and my absolute max heartrate is probably 193bpm. My SO is five days older than I am but her max is probably in the 210bpm region. Then again my resting heart rate it 40 so really these things vary a lot.

chaadster

Another vote for 'No worries, mate!'

A 200bpm max is within the normal range of max HR for your age, it seems to me. At least I can say that I know others who average 170bpm over 2hr road rides, and max north of 190bpm, and they're healthy and happy.

What's right for you is another matter, but absent any contraindications, I'd not worry about it, but maybe seeing the doc for a general physical if you haven't in a long time may put your mind at ease.

As I reference, I'm approaching 45 in a couple of weeks, and can still see 190bpm during hard efforts. I recover in the 150bpm range, and usually high Tempo around 160bpm. Threshold efforts are 170bpm range, and pushing sustained efforts in the supra-max zones are where I see those 180+ numbers.

intransit1217

I'm 47. 60 bpm (non tested) resting rate. 186 is the highest I've seen mine so far.

As long as your doctor says it's ok, wind it up.

Panza

Thank you friends, It just concerned my seeing BPMs north of 200 and didnt want to hurt myself. My resting standing HR is 60~70bpm. I have a HX of hypertension and heart attacks as well. I can also take it easier on my recovery rides if it feels too vigorous.

intransit1217

If you have heart issues, check with your doctor first.

chaadster

Wow, I didn't know people had heart attacks by age 25; scary stuff.

chasm54

If that is your history, rather than just a family history, you should know better than to be asking for advice on an internet forum and consult a professional.

Panza

HAHAH. Family HX. Important words to leave out.

I'd be concerned too if I had a heart attack at 25.

CdCf

Rule of thumb: A normal max heart rate is 190 +/- 25, no matter what your age is. Even if you're outside of that, it's probably still ok, you're just unusual.

indjke

Don't think so.
I have unusually high HR with max over 210 (have seen 210-211 couple of times and even 214 once), so my zones are close to yours, and 185-195 bpm for hard ride as well as 200 bpm for short hard climbs is OK. Nevertheless 160-170 bpm is too high for recovery even with such fast heart. Recovery must be done near 140 bpm or lower. 160-170 is aerobic development zone, "all-day-pace", but too intense for recovery.

Roody

With that family hx, I think annual visits to the doctor are very important. Diet and exercise are crucial, but can only do so much. A good physician has other tools that will help if needed. Take it from me. I was a hard core cyclist and walker my entire life, with good diet. But I denied genetics and ignored medicine, and I'm now dealing with severe heart problems at age 60.

Panza

At the moment I only have an inhaler for exercise induced asthma, but I'll mention that my HR hits 204-205 during peak exercise and see what she has to say. Thanks for the extra precautionary advice.

work4bike

Agree totally and this is the best article that I've read that explains why heart rate zones vary so much 'Maximum' Heart Rate Theory Is Challenged - NYTimes.com

The charts are industry-driven, not backed by science.