What could cause an elevated heart rate?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 36 years old, weigh 125 pounds, and had a resting heart rate of 60 to 65 bpm until last week. However, now my resting heart rate is 80 to 85 bpm. For the past week, I have started running every day for about 16 minutes, completing four-minute laps (starting at 5 km/h and increasing to 8 km/h by the 16th minute). I have heard that running every day can lower your heart rate, but the opposite seems to be happening for me, which is concerning. Also, I am a light smoker, smoking three to four cigarettes a day (I used to smoke 10 cigarettes a day up until three months ago). Can you help me understand what might be going on?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I do not think there is anything to worry about. Running for a longer period, say for a few months at least, will help make your heart stronger and lower your heart rate, but not within just a week. There are numerous factors that can affect your heart rate, such as your exercise routine, walking before checking your heart rate, psychological factors like anxiety, etc. These can cause an elevated heart rate. I assume you do not have any symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath with an elevated heart rate, right? Also, I suggest you get a thyroid test done since your resting heart rate was on the lower side.

Kind regards.