Interesting about the pacemaker. I was always pleased to measure my resting heart rate (before rolling out of bed) around 42 bpm. Patted myself on the back for all the cycling and other things that contributed to this 'aerobic fitness'. ECG in Dec (prior to kidney stone removal) indicated Left Bundle Branch Block. No one has explained this to me in detail, but what I read indicates that a pacemaker could be in my future. Maybe time to get a cardiologist.




edit: Relative to Max HR, in my mid50s (last use of a HRM) i had a max of about 178, as measured by the sustained effort on a moderately steep hill after a good warm-up. Given instrumentation quirks, i counted the max number that repeated for several seconds, not just a one time read-out.


In my mid40s, max HR was about 185. I was most proud, back then, of having the ability to ride many miles at about 90% of max and also to recover quickly from max to 'easy cruising' heart rate. And to do it regularly throughout a ride.


Now in my mid60s, I have been advised by 2 doctors that experimenting with Max HR is not advisable. the bundle branch block is probably further evidence of this being true. So I take heart hoping that "a high max HR is not necessary for a healthy overall lifestyle" = a factual statement. I'm not trying to be athletically competitive, just athletic for my age and my outdoor hobbies.


Who really knows what tomorrow brings. Maybe new directions.....