Is An Increased Heart Rate With Activity A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Mon, 23 May 2016

Question: Hi,
Is it normal to have high beat rate in morning...i mean i have usually around 75 when i wake up but after as soon as i stand up or something i quicky go to 100 but after during the day its become normal again...
Thanks

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The increase in heart rate with activity is a normal response

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. A normal heart rate at rest in adults can be from 60 to 100 times per minute. If you have a heart rate of 75 beats/ minute during rest then it is normal.

2. When you stand up and do activities, the heart rate slowly increases to allow the heart to increase the pumping activity and give more blood supply to different areas. This is a normal response and any person doing activity can have a heart rate that is more than the resting heart rate.

3. The heart rate increase with activity has an upper limit depending on age.

(i) For your age group the maximum heart rate in a normal person doing intense physical activity is 170 beats/ minute.

(ii) For moderate physical activity the acceptable heart rate is 100 to 138 beats/ minute

Therefore I find your heart rate to be within acceptable limit and the increase in heart rate after you get up is a normal response. During rest the heart rate comes back to normal again.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Yes i understand it can be normal , maybe its because i take atenolol so when i wake up in the morning im quite fast, i feel oppressed and my heart is fast until i take my medicine and wait for 30/45 min and then i feel normal again...Do nausea and feel tired can be side effect of atenolol, i take it since 6 months now and feel tired...

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tiredness is common side effect of atenolol

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Atenolol belongs to a group called beta blockers and this controls hypertension and decreases heart rate. Probably your heart rate gets controlled in 45 minutes after taking medicine and you start to feel normal.

2. Tiredness is a common side effect of atenolol but nausea is rarely seen.

3. Your weakness can be from taking atenolol and you should inform your doctor about this problem in your coming visit.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (6 hours later)

My last question doctor , will be is it normal to feel pain in the chest ( sternum) when start back exercice? i feel unconfortable and still worry about my heart condition.I have done EKG and EST and everything was fine, where the pain can come from?? i have start to make exercice again since 2 weeks

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Probably muscle or cartilage origin pain

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Pain in the chest wall including sternum associated with back exercise might be due to muscle or cartilage related conditions because your EKG and EST are normal. The commonest cause is spasm of the chest wall muscles or mild inflammation of the cartilaginous junction of ribs. Please discuss with your physiotherapist.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar