My HR
04-07-09 | 10:11 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
My HR
When I took to the road 1 year ago my resting HR was somewhere in the high 70s. Now it’s ~50. I now some of you guys ::read UMD:: have ridiculous resting HRs like 38, but I am still proud about the progress I've made over the past year. My cholesterol has also dropped by over 20 points!
My bike, as ridiculously expensive as it was, has tuned out to be the best investment I’ve ever made!
My bike, as ridiculously expensive as it was, has tuned out to be the best investment I’ve ever made!
04-07-09 | 11:56 AM
#3
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
04-07-09 | 04:53 PM
#5
Hills hurt.. Couches kill
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,370
Likes: 3
From: Brazil, IN
Bikes: 1991 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 2010 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One, 2012 Cannondale Caad10, 2013 Trek Crockett
I just checked mine... it's 52 after sitting here for a couple of hours. It's been lower, and I've been fitter. I think you're doing great, certainly better than the majority of the population.
04-07-09 | 04:55 PM
#6
so is the theory that a low HR means you can push harder and keep your HR lower? what does a low (resting) HR give you?
seems like comparing my HR to yours is kinda useless... but hey what else is BF for.
seems like comparing my HR to yours is kinda useless... but hey what else is BF for.
04-07-09 | 05:07 PM
#7
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 0
From: Painville, USA
Bikes: 2007 Tarmac Pro
People used to think the delta b/t your MHR and your RHR was an indicator of cardio capacity. Of course, it's not that simple.
04-07-09 | 05:31 PM
#8
Spin Meister
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 74
From: California, USA
Bikes: Trek Émonda, 1961 Follis (French) road bike (I'm the original owner), a fixie, a mountain bike, etc.
Since 2001 I've kept a log of my physical activity, including my heart rate on wake-up. The more I exercise, the lower the rate my heart will beat at rest. I've been riding a fair amount - for me - lately. Currently I wake up with my heart beating at about 45, and it can sometimes drop to 42. At the moment, after sitting quietly for much of the day, it's 42.
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This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
04-07-09 | 05:47 PM
#9
Cross-Chainer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Panhandle, WV
Mine's 38. I've learned, though, that I have an extremely low cushion when it comes to vagal stimulation. It seems the more endurance/cardio-oriented I become, the more susceptible I am to the less desirable effects of the vagus nerve. Over the past 2 years, I have had 3 instances of near-syncope that I can recall. Mostly (from what I can tell), it's been a type of a "merciful" response. Twice, in front of my wife while she had surgical procedures done, and another time, while training at work using an animal cadaver (something that used to NEVER bother me). The change in cardio efficiency is the only changed variable in these circumstances (well, that and age).
I think of it this way:
My HR is already WAY low (relative bradycardia). If I experience something that would cause a vaso-vagal response, there's not a long way to go before there is a reduced blood/oxygen flow to the brain...causing syncope (or near syncope in my case).
LVH is another fun thing to explain during a workup, although I can't imagine a doc that wouldn't be receptive to the fact that you're an athlete.
On the plus side, I'm never winded when I run up the steps at work...
I think of it this way:
My HR is already WAY low (relative bradycardia). If I experience something that would cause a vaso-vagal response, there's not a long way to go before there is a reduced blood/oxygen flow to the brain...causing syncope (or near syncope in my case).
LVH is another fun thing to explain during a workup, although I can't imagine a doc that wouldn't be receptive to the fact that you're an athlete.
On the plus side, I'm never winded when I run up the steps at work...
04-07-09 | 05:48 PM
#10
Has coddling tendencies.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,360
Likes: 59
From: Topanga Canyon
Bikes: 2008 Blue RC8 w/ '09 Rival
Curious how this topic comes up today. I woke too early and was trying to get back to sleep, but I was in a position where I could hear my heart beating in my ears, so with nothing better to do I did a rate test and came up with 50. Quite a bit different than a few years ago when it was more like 68. While at dinner the other night I tested my friend's 8 y.o. daughter and her HR was 80. Little person, little heart, more BPM.
04-07-09 | 05:51 PM
#11
Hills hurt.. Couches kill
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,370
Likes: 3
From: Brazil, IN
Bikes: 1991 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 2010 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One, 2012 Cannondale Caad10, 2013 Trek Crockett
Mine's 38. I've learned, though, that I have an extremely low cushion when it comes to vagal stimulation. It seems the more endurance/cardio-oriented I become, the more susceptible I am to the less desirable effects of the vagus nerve. Over the past 2 years, I have had 3 instances of near-syncope that I can recall. Mostly (from what I can tell), it's been a type of a "merciful" response. Twice, in front of my wife while she had surgical procedures done, and another time, while training at work using an animal cadaver (something that used to NEVER bother me). The change in cardio efficiency is the only changed variable in these circumstances (well, that and age).
I think of it this way:
My HR is already WAY low (relative bradycardia). If I experience something that would cause a vaso-vagal response, there's not a long way to go before there is a reduced blood/oxygen flow to the brain...causing syncope (or near syncope in my case).
LVH is another fun thing to explain during a workup, although I can't imagine a doc that wouldn't be receptive to the fact that you're an athlete.
On the plus side, I'm never winded when I run up the steps at work...
I think of it this way:
My HR is already WAY low (relative bradycardia). If I experience something that would cause a vaso-vagal response, there's not a long way to go before there is a reduced blood/oxygen flow to the brain...causing syncope (or near syncope in my case).
LVH is another fun thing to explain during a workup, although I can't imagine a doc that wouldn't be receptive to the fact that you're an athlete.
On the plus side, I'm never winded when I run up the steps at work...
04-07-09 | 06:10 PM
#15
Indefatigable
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
Bikes: 09 Motobecane Grand Sprint and a couple others not worth mentioning.
Resting heart rate, and max heart rate really mean nothing when compared to other people, however the significantly lower resting rate you have now is a strong indicator (not certain as umd pointed out) that you are far fitter now. Mine has dropped as I have become fitter, but just a few beats.
From upper 70s to about 50 is pretty amazing and suggests there is more to it than just fitness.
From upper 70s to about 50 is pretty amazing and suggests there is more to it than just fitness.
