Posted by Carl Plaskett on September 21, 2001 at 14:33:24:
In Reply to: Resting Heart Rate posted by Michael Wells on September 21, 2001 at 12:12:21:
Michael: I'm sure I won't be the only vet to tell you not to worry about this. I believe your doctor would confirm that your heart has to work a little faster than normal during healing, since it is a less flexible muscle than before because of all the scar tissue.
How high do you get during exercise? I think you will find that the more exercise you can do (long walks at a quick pace are good), the more flexible your heart will become and the lower your resting HR will be. I found mine to sometimes be above 100, which made exercise a little more tiring early in a walk, but my max was still under 125. I found (and still find) that if I start exercise slowly at below 90bpm, I can get my HR up to 145 or so and feel pretty good. If I start out above 100, I quickly get to 145, and my leg muscles (biking) are not warmed up enough to keep me going at that pace.
I also find that having alcohol one day will result in a "walking around" HR somewhat higher during the next day. The national events of the last 10 days have been stressful, and along with lots of work from a hurricane in Florida, I have found myself unable to unwind in the evening, so I have been having a drink or two or 3-4 glasses of wine. My resting HR now as I sit at the computer is 90. Had I only had 1-2 glasses of wine last night, it would be 80 or less under less stressful conditions. I am sure thinking about my son's job with an airline and the flying he does is adding something to this mix.
When I know I am going to exercise the next day, I try not to have much to drink, and if my HR is over 90 in the evening, I will take a small piece of an atenolol (Tenormin) 50mg tablet, which I quarter with a knife, which means I probably get about 10mg. The next morning, my resting HR is 70 or less, and I am able to get my muscles loosened up before my HR gets up to 145. I won't be doing this too long, since I only have a couple dozen tablets left from my last prescription of 11/00.
I think you are doing just fine. Just exercise a lot. Go for a hike on one of the several Chatahoochee Recreation Area trails around Atlanta. I found that to be an interesting workout back in late April. Just go with someone and take a cell phone.
- Re: Resting Heart Rate Valery Baird 23:07:49 7/31/2004 (0)