Is an increase in heart rate after exercise normal?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 41-year-old female with a sedentary lifestyle. I am over 100 pounds overweight, currently weighing 248 pounds at 5 feet 4 inches tall. Today, I started going to the gym and walked slowly for 15 minutes. My heart rate stayed around 120 bpm during this time. When I stopped to see how quickly my heart rate would decrease, it initially increased by 10 beats to 130 bpm. A minute later, it started going down again.

I had a physical test less than a year ago and was told I had a good pulse and great blood pressure. I also experienced panic attacks and once went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. They performed a troponin test twice, along with an EKG/ECG and an X-ray. The tests showed I had not had a heart attack; they found no signs of an enlarged heart or any blockages.

However, I am still a bit paranoid. I have never noticed my heart rate increasing briefly after stopping exercise, and it surprised me.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Heart rate tends to rise more easily in people who are deconditioned from a long-term sedentary lifestyle. With regular exercise, your heart rate will gradually begin to lower. The fitter a person is, the quicker their heart rate will decrease after stopping exercise. A drop of 20 beats or more within the first minute is considered normal, while a drop of less than 12 may indicate a less fit heart.

To improve fitness, it is important to lose weight, eat a healthy diet, and avoid addictive substances. Anxiety and dehydration can also affect heart rate. Regular exercise can help improve fitness and promote a faster heart rate recovery after exercise.

If you need more information or guidance regarding weight loss, exercise, or healthy eating, feel free to ask anytime.

Thank you.