High heart rate and blood pressure in morning

Headhuunter

I'm wondering if I am showing symptoms of overtraining. I generally cycle 12 miles per day in and out of work. I tend to push it fairly hard. I also often do a 50-70 mile club rides at the weekend. Last night I went for a run with my running club - about 10-12k in fairly quick time (about 45 mins).

Last night and this morning my heart rate was faster than usual. Up at about 65-70bpm whereas usually it's 50-60. My blood pressure was higher than usual as well, usually about 125-130/65-75, whereas today it was more like 135/70. My heart rate at the moment sat at my desk seems to be about 65bpm, which is fairly high for me, although not excessively so I suppose....

I have experienced this after hard club rides and fast runs before. Is it normal? Anything to worry about? Is this a symptom of overtraining? What can be done to prevent it - anything I should eat or do? Anyone else experienced it?

MountainMonster

I experience the same quite often, and just put it down to not as quick recovery as could be. I also smoke and drink alot of energy drinks though, so that doesn't help me either.

I wouldn't worry too much, your still well within the normal ranges.

Peddle Up!

Much of this depends on your age. If you have any concerns, have a chat with your GP.

danowat

I rise in RHR can indicate overtraining, however, it can also be the sign of an impending bug / sickness or general fatigue / stress / lack of sleep.

Have a couple of days rest and take it from there.

Headhuunter

Thanks. I'm 38 ys old. I have already been to see my GP about my blood pressure as the systolic is often over 140 during the day (the diastolic usually sits around 65-70ish). He didn;t seem that concerned, just asked me to monitor it in the mornings. Just wondering specifically if there is anything to do (other than rest I suppose) to deal with overtraining/over reaching...

danowat

Headhuunter wrote:

Just wondering specifically if there is anything to do (other than rest I suppose) to deal with overtraining/over reaching...

If it is overtraining, then rest is the best way to deal with it, doesn't sit well with many people though, as the fact they are over trained in the first place highlights an issue with rest and recovery.......

jgsi

How many hours per week are you 'training'?

amaferanga

With 12 miles a day its not likely to be overtraining. You're possibly just a bit tired, which isn't the same as overtraining. You don't even say you're feeling fatigued or that your HR during exercise is affected. I'd just ride easy to and from work for a few days and take it from there.

woodbloke

I suffer from high BP which was diagnosed last year by the doc. Appently it's something that a lot of folk get when they're in their 50's (I'm 59) but is easily brought under control with medication. When I was first tested, my BP was 220/130 (or something very similar) and it's now dropped to levels that are acceptable to the doc.
If there's any problems or issues that concern you, then the doc is the first port of call...my gut feeling is that you may be overdoing it a tad, but other more knowledgabe people would be able to confirm that - Rob

lifeform

That's a very slight increase in both HR and BP, and one evening/morning it shouldn't indicate any issues.

Environmental factors - heat, humidity, etc will affect heart rate, which in turn affects BP

Then there's the external influencers - caffeine, nicotine, spicy food, sleep deprivation, etc etc.

tonyscp

Hi woodbloke,

I'm in the same position as you, although a couple of years younger and not quite as high blood pressure - I'm seeing the doc tomorrow to discuss possible treatment after having a 24 hour monitor. I'd be intrested to know what drug you're on and whether you've noticed any side effects or any effect on your riding. Cheers Tony

cougie

if you did a 12k run in 45 mins - then thats probably race pace ? So yes - you will need to recover - and you say you've experienced this before after runs and hard rides. So I think you've answered your own question.

When I recorded my HR every day - Mondays HR was consistently 5 - 10bpm higher due to the efforts of sundays monster ride.

blackhands

I doubt that its overtraining which is a chronic condition and I would expect to see much higher values/differences from your normal readings, and from which it often takes weeks/months to recover.

It is more likely just temporary fatigue brought about by your quite fast run on top of your normal riding. This may also be allied with a mild viral infection or similar.

MattC59

High heart rate and blood presure first thing in the morning ? Anything to do with the person you wake up next to ?

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

tonyscp wrote:

Hi woodbloke,

I'm in the same position as you, although a couple of years younger and not quite as high blood pressure - I'm seeing the doc tomorrow to discuss possible treatment after having a 24 hour monitor. I'd be intrested to know what drug you're on and whether you've noticed any side effects or any effect on your riding. Cheers Tony

I hate having my BP taken, it is one of a very few medical tests that I know I can directly influence, in the wrong direction!

I have seen my BP @ +200 +100 in a very for me stressful situation!

Only really saying this as being under the spotlight and maybe stressing over your BP can have quite an adverse effect. Also lifestyle changes can in certain people make a huge difference.

Regarding the OP, overtraining is much spoken about but hardly ever achieved by normal people, fatigue maybe but overtaining is prety difficult to get to. IMO

Peddle Up!

Fat-Boy-Roubaix wrote:

I hate having my BP taken, it is one of a very few medical tests that I know I can directly influence, in the wrong direction!

I have seen my BP @ +200 +100 in a very for me stressful situation!

"White coat hypertension" is well-known to your GP who will make allowances, including using a 24-hour monitor if need be.

I don't want to bang on about this, as it's a cycling forum first and foremost, but if you have any queries about your blood pressure, see your GP.

A good mate of mine always said that blood pressure was just a "load of b*ll*cks" until the day he collapsed with a massive stroke. He's in a wheelchair now.

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

Peddle Up! wrote:

Fat-Boy-Roubaix wrote:

I hate having my BP taken, it is one of a very few medical tests that I know I can directly influence, in the wrong direction!

I have seen my BP @ +200 +100 in a very for me stressful situation!

"White coat hypertension" is well-known to your GP who will make allowances, including using a 24-hour monitor if need be..

Yeah that is why I take mine at home on regular basis, and show my Doc when I see him. My machine is clinicaly approved and avg the last 60 rarely see it over 145/85, and the avg for 60 is 130/80. Normally in the docs it is 140/85 ish.

Also taking it too close to cycling can just be fooling yourself as it is lower post excercise.

I will normaly give it four or five hours after cycling but prefer to do it 24 hours after on a rest day.

Headhuunter

Thanks for your answers.... My BP and heart rate seemed to go down later in the day yesterday and this morning my BP was 125/73, which I think is alright.

I should think you're all right that I don't do enough to be "overtraining", it just seems surprising to me that after, admittedly, hard rides or runs that my heart rate and BP remain high for several hours and sometimes through the night. Just concerned me a bit...

elmsallmissile

Also taking it too close to cycling can just be fooling yourself as it is lower post excercise.

Blood Pressure Response to Aerobic Exercise
During upright exercise, the normal blood pressure response is to observe a progressive increase in systolic blood pressure with no change or even a slight decrease in diastolic blood pressure. The slight decrease in diastolic blood pressure is due primarily to the vasodilation of the arteries from the exercise bout. Thus, the expansion in artery size may lower blood pressure during the diastolic phase. A failure of the systolic blood pressure to rise with an increase in intensity (called exertional hypotension) is considered abnormal, and may occur in patients with a number of cardiovascular problems. Contrariwise, an increase in diastolic blood pressure of more than 10 mmHg during or after exercise represents an unstable form of hypertension, and may be associated with coronary artery disease. Following exercise, systolic blood pressure progressively declines during an active recovery. With a passive (such as seated) recovery, systolic blood pressure may drop abruptly due to the pooling of blood in the peripheral areas of the body. There may also be a drop in diastolic blood pressure, during the recovery phase of exercise due to the vasodilation. Persons on medications will have variable responses to exercise. Therefore it is prudent to contact their health practitioners to be aware of what would be considered normative under these circumstances.

Down the Road

Don't want to be funny but is there a reason for you to test your BP so often?

If it is just for info you could be worrying about nothing. If you have a condition and need to - fair enough.

to much info is not good - just enjoy riding your bike

woodbloke

PM sent to tonyscp - Rob