My heart rate hit the roof!!!

Ok we all know I'm 4.5 weeks pregnant. Yesterday I decided to walk/jog around my BF apartment complex. I was amazed when I saw my Polar HRM say that my heart rate was at 95% and then 98% and so on. So I stopped running because I was like "whoa why is my hr so high" It has never gotten that high not even in spin class. It's only gotten to 92% at the most. So then I stopped running and put on my inlines and it got very high again. Not as high as when I was running but up to 90% at least. I'm wondering does this have anything to do with the fact that I'm pregnant. Anyone else experienced this?

I think when you are pregant; your hormones are out of whack; and you start increasing your blood volume, which makes your heart pump more.  You should keep your HR down to no more than 140 BPM so the fetus can have a sufficient flow of blood.  If that means toning your cardio down so be it-  I found doing light ellipical and treadmill (and bike) was the only cardio I could do and keep my HR down to 150.  Ask you doc if you have further questions-  I have a Polar HRM as well and I can tell you it's been a life saver.  At this point; I can't even walk up the steps with my heart beating like crazy!!

Remember, your body is working overtime right now so it could possibly be higher because of your pregnancy. 

Do you have a notebook that you can write things like this down to discuss with your doctor at your next dr's appointment? 

I don't meet with the doctor until next month and I will have a ton of questions I'm sure. Thanks for the HR tip. I will change my settings on my HRM so that I know exactly what number my heart rate is rather than percentages.

Yesterday I went to Spin class and it was a struggle to keep my hr under 140. A few times it got to 150. This is extremely hard! Plus I felt like I wasn't working hard enough at 140. I had to set the resistance dial to very easy just to keep my hr where it should be.  Plus I only burned 300 calories!! :( I can't wait to talk to my doc about this.

Pregnancy is a life change-  and you'll have to modify your routine.  But just think-  it will only be for 8 more months; and then you can hop right back on.   Keep your HR to 140-150-  you're still working out; but also looking out for baby.  It's an adjustment-  I know-  but you don't want to stress your body our at this point.

Is there any way that you can call your doctor and speak to him/her or at least her nurse? 

Here are a few articles that may be helpful:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exe...gnancy /AN01560

In 1983, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) originally set a guideline of no more than 140 beats per minute during exercise as a recommendation for most pregnant women. This was based on limited research that suggested higher heart rates during pregnancy may slow the growth of your baby in the womb. But further research found this only occurred in women who exercised too much and didn't consume enough calories. So exercise alone wasn't the primary problem.

When you exercise, ACOG recommends that you should be able to carry on a conversation comfortably during your workout.

http://www.usms.org/fitness/articleofthemonth .php?a=6

The ACOG updated their guidelines in 1994. They are now more liberal and individualized. Regular exercise (at least three times per week) is better than intermittent activity. Highly recommended exercises are swimming, stationary cycling and brisk walking. If there are no risk factors for bad outcomes, a woman can exercise and benefit from mild to moderate intensity exercise. She should monitor heart rate during peak activity. She should avoid extremes of joint flexion and extension and exercise on the back after the first trimester. She should adjust exercise intensity if symptoms develop. She should avoid long periods of motionless standing and exercises where loss of balance could occur. Good warm-up before exercise and cool down afterwards are very important. She should avoid exercises that require jumping, jarring or rapid changes in direction. She should eat foods and drink water adequate for both fetal development and exercise.

http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/15/15/17.htm l

Sedentary women should not begin vigorous rehabilitative exercise or try to get into shape during pregnancy. The time to get into good physical condition is before or after pregnancy. Once pregnant, a sedentary woman can begin a walking program or something similar. However, a woman who has been exercising can pursue a rehabilitative exercise program during pregnancy by adjusting the intensity of the program, according to how she feels, and keeping her heart rate in the 140 to 150 beats per minute range.

Congrats on your pregnancy. I had that as well. It happened as soon as I gave birth and it was scary. My resting heart rate in the hospital was 165 bpm, the doctors said that normally happens during pregnancy, but my body does everything backwards (lol) . Fortunately I worked in cardiology for years so I had great care. It was hormone related tachycardia (fast heart rate)I had to wear a event recorder for a week so they could figure it out and it went away about 2 weeks later. It could just be your body adjusting to the hormones. Is this your first pregnancy?

I would suggest calling your doctor and moving up your appt. it won't hurt to get this checked out.