Originally Posted by
Richard Cranium
Whether or not you worry or want to worry, has little to with whether or not you should or need not investigate cardiovascular health.
Clearly, my answers to most questions in these forums exceed a given forum users actual interest. I'm pretty sure you wish to remain ignorant of all the factors that contribute to cardiovascular "health" and simply want to be assured that your exercise is somehow "good for you."
Heart rate is only one aspect of cardiovascular physiology. There is nothing about this thread that proves that your current heart rate is healthy or unhealthy. However, in the absence of any other known risk factors or symptoms - one might conclude that your heart rate is normal.
And this is my point - for a "normal population" - exercising to the point of maximum heart rate IS a risk factor. And that is why I took the time to tell you to consider other factors before deciding "I'm normal."
Never mind.
I'm not sure what your point is here and I think your assumptions are unwarranted. The op was originally wondering if his high MHR, in and of itself, had any meaning. Neither he nor anyone else was saying he should remain ignorant of all the factors that contribute to cardiovascular "health" or ignore other known risk factors or symptoms. I agree his MHR doesn't indicate whether his heart is healthy or unhealthy (tho his rapid decline in hr upon cessation of exercise tends to).
I would disagree that "exercising to the point of maximum heart rate IS a risk factor." Certainly one wouldn't reach MHR often in a regular training program and most can't sustain that rate for any length of time, but I know of no evidence which indicates that one can damage their heart by reaching or approaching max from time to time. Thousands do so weekly when they participate in races or competitions. I've never seen a study that indicates they are damaging their hearts.