Elevated Heart Rate During Cardio Efforts
I'm becoming quite anxious about my current situation. I find myself on a journey towards better health and fitness, having been diligent about hitting the gym for nearly a month now. During my most recent cardio session on the elliptical, I felt an uplift in my motivation and decided to really challenge myself. My goal was to complete a mile in under twelve minutes, and I successfully achieved that! However, I noticed my heart rate remained consistently between 195 to 200 beats per minute, ultimately peaking at 207 during my maximum exertion in the final minute. For further context, I am a 21-year-old woman, weighing 240 pounds and standing at 5 feet tall. I’m taking 30 mg of phentermine to manage my appetite due to my struggle with binge eating disorder, alongside a 40 mg dose of fluoxetine for anxiety management. After I completed the mile, I took a moment to pause on the elliptical to catch my breath. Surprisingly, within roughly two minutes, my heart rate dropped to 137. Is everything alright? I often grapple with health-related anxiety, and all I aim for is to improve my wellbeing.
Answers (1)
12/13/2025, 4:20:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's natural to feel concerned when experiencing a high heart rate during exercise, especially if you're managing anxiety. Your recent fitness achievement is commendable, and it’s great to see your motivation to improve your health!
Main Points
- High Heart Rate During Exercise: Achieving a peak heart rate of 207 beats per minute during intense cardio is high but can be expected during vigorous exertion, especially in individuals beginning a new fitness regimen.
- Understanding Your Body: Several factors can influence your heart rate, including weight, fitness level, and medications.
Explanation
When exercising, your heart rate increases to provide more oxygen to your muscles. For many people, a maximum heart rate can be estimated by subtracting their age from 220. At 21, a maximum heart rate of around 199 beats per minute is typical, meaning your peak of 207 is slightly above this estimated maximum but may not be alarming if you're physically exerting yourself.
However, when combined with the use of phentermine, which can stimulate the heart rate, you may experience higher than expected responses during exercise. The rapid decrease in heart rate after exercise is a positive sign that your body is efficiently recovering.
Next Steps
- Monitor Future Workouts: Continue to track your heart rate during workouts. If you frequently exceed your estimated maximum heart rate or feel unwell (dizzy, short of breath, or experiencing chest pain), consider easing back on intensity.
- Assess Exercise Intensity: Aim for moderate to vigorous intensity during cardio, but listen to your body. A good gauge is the "talk test," where you should be able to speak, but not sing, during workouts.
- Stay Hydrated and Rest: Ensure you are adequately hydrating before, during, and after your exercises. Allow your body sufficient recovery time between workouts to adapt to the new demands.
- Consult on Medication Effects: Since you're on phentermine and fluoxetine, consider discussing with your prescribing physician how these might affect your exercise and heart rate, especially since they can have stimulatory effects.
Remember, everyone's body responds differently, and with time and experience, you'll learn what works best for you. If health anxiety persists, discussing these feelings with a therapist may also be beneficial to help manage them effectively. Stay positive; you're making commendable progress towards your health goals!
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