Question about heart rate after exercise

NIMAN

I have recently starting wearing a Garmin watch to track sleep, but have also been keeping an eye on my HR during exercise, as I have found I'm struggling for breath after having Covid in July.

I have noticed on several occasions after playing football for an hour, that my HR takes several hours to return to normal.

I had always assumed that your HR would fall back to normal levels fairly soon after you stop exerting your body?

This is a screenshot of my HR after a session at noon. As can be seen, its taking until midnight to return to normal.

EDIT : FYI Id be early 50s, but in good shape for my age and would consider myself relatively fit.

GoogleBot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058271488/question-about-heart-rate-after-exercise

Luck of potassium and other electrolytes could cause that and a few other options. Probably worth to visit the GP. At 50 years its time to stop eating processed foods; veg oils and refine sugar/fructose

NIMAN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119918050#Comment_119918050

Ill follow up about the potassium when I can finally get an appt with my GP.

although there was nothing deficient in my latest blood tests. I assume they test for potassium?

GoogleBot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119918129#Comment_119918129

You can't really see the true level of potassium from the blood sample. Potassium hides inside the cells and works with sodium to deliver nutrients to the cells, removing waste etc. Called proton pump.

NIMAN

So how would you know whether you need a supplement or not?

I did a quick search after your 1st reply, and it says it can be dangerous to take too much potassium.

GoogleBot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119919084#Comment_119919084

That's why healthy balance diet is what you need. Most supplement labels say "not a replacement of balance diet". Supplements should be used short term. With a balance diet human body up regulates absorption of nutrients. High potassium intake should be avoided only if you have serious kidney disease. Good source of potassium avocado, potatoes and banana. I would opt for avocado. Bananas and potatoes come with too much sugar I want to avoid.

GoogleBot

As an example, my uncle had heart rate at 95 per minute and upper level of blood pressure at 145 obviously he was on a fast food diet at the time. The GP wants to prescribe the beta blocker. He bought a bottle of potassium from Holland and Barret and took one a day for a week. The heart rate dropped to a healthy 70 per min and upper blood pressure to 137

https://www.hollandandbarrett.ie/shop/product/holland-barrett-potassium-caplets-99mg-6100000105

NIMAN

Thanks for that.

Thing is, over the last 5 or 6 years, I have been in A&E for irregular heartbeats which I thought were worrying. This then lead to me getting a referral to a private cardiologist who attached a monitor to me. I was found to have a sinus pause, and over time I have had to learn to live with this, as it would often be very noticeable and would make me catch my breath and raise my anxiety levels. GERD was mentioned in the hospital as a potential issue.

I have cut out soft drinks, all caffeine and rarely eat junk food. I would eat regular cooked meals and only have a takeaway maybe once per fortnight, sometimes less. I do eat plenty of fruit too. But still get heartburn occasionally.

Nowadays I still get pauses which annoy me. I was told it was probably something I always had. But I didn't notice them until about 6 or so years ago, so I maintain they weren't always there and that they started. I would get a lot of tingling in my arms and legs too (numbness at times), and the odd random chest pain, like a jagging. But my GP has said jagging chest pains are not something to worry about, it's only heavy dull pains I need to panic about!!

The cardiologist said my heart is healthy and strong. As I may have said, although I am in my 50s, I am a good weight and relatively fit. I play football twice per week and walk a fair bit too. My diet isn't bad, maybe just too many sweets and biscuits though. My BP has always been good when tested. I do suffer from raised cholesterol, but all males in my family do too.

But the thing that surprises me now is that not once in all the 6 or 7 years I have been thru this, and meeting with GPs and cardiologists, have I heard potassium mentioned.

I might start of the avocados! And a supplement for a while, see if it makes many difference.

Thanks for your feedback. I will talk about potassium when I next see my GP.

GoogleBot

"Very low levels of potassium in the body can lead to irregular heart rhythms, including sinus bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation..."

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325065

Gerd. "Decreased stomach acidity could be responsible for risk of nutrient deficiencies including vitamin B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C (ascorbate), calcium, iron and magnesium deficiencies or medications that are used to alleviate the symptoms of GERD may also be responsible for increasing the risk for deficiencies."

https://www.sciencerepository.org/nutritional-deficiencies-associated-with_GGR-2020-1-102

Unfortunately GP nowadays are chemist they have no training in nutrition hence can't really talk except everything in moderation.

The only superfood that I know can help to balance nutrient profile is lamb/cow liver. My grandma used to eat half portion of lamb liver once a week had no chest pain and in her 90s could walk for miles

"Vitamin B12deficiency symptoms may include: strange sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet."

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780

Please watch two videos below will help you better than raw text

https://youtu.be/rjFk-vMLhhA

https://youtu.be/9zHq0rMP28I

Martina1991

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119921513#Comment_119921513

Niman please consult your GP before taking supplements, particularly for potassium.

Hyperkalaemia (too much potassium) can also cause irregular heart beat and shortness of breath.

Potassium is one of the kidney function tests because the kidneys regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. Electrolytes being sodium, potassium and chloride.

Kidney function tests are the most routine battery of blood tests requested both in hospital and by GPs. I'm sure you have had them done before, even if that particular test wasn't flagged to you.

Bellie1

Sorry for resurrecting and hijacking thread. My potassium levels in bloods this year have been consistently slightly above normal(always the exact same measurement) Am taking high blood pressure meds so wondering if linked to that and if I should be reducing potassium in diet.

markmoto

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054793#Comment_120054793

Some medications used to treat high blood pressure may also increase potassium levels. See your GP