From the Guidelines
If a person's heart rate remains elevated above their baseline after weight training, exhibiting tachycardia, it is crucial to seek medical attention to rule out underlying cardiovascular conditions or other serious health issues. This persistent elevation might suggest overtraining, dehydration, or inadequate recovery between exercise sessions. More concerning causes could include underlying cardiovascular conditions, electrolyte imbalances, or reactions to medications or supplements. The normal physiological response to exercise includes an elevated heart rate that gradually returns to baseline during the recovery period, typically within 30-60 minutes post-exercise, as noted in a study by 1. When this recovery is delayed or absent, the body may be experiencing excessive stress or an underlying health issue. Factors such as caffeine consumption, stimulant pre-workout supplements, anxiety, or poor conditioning can also contribute to this response, as discussed in a study by 1. Anyone experiencing persistent tachycardia after exercise should:
- Monitor their symptoms
- Ensure proper hydration
- Consider their nutrition timing
- Implement adequate rest periods If the elevated heart rate continues despite these measures, especially if accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, or unusual fatigue, immediate medical evaluation is necessary to rule out more serious cardiovascular conditions, as emphasized in a study by 1 and 1. It is essential to prioritize caution and seek medical attention to address potential underlying issues that may impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Heart Rate Response to Weight Training
- A person's heart rate remaining elevated above their baseline after weight training, exhibiting tachycardia, may indicate an abnormal heart rate recovery 2.
- Heart rate recovery is defined as the decrease in heart rate from peak exercise to one minute after the cessation of exercise, and an abnormal value is a reduction of 12 beats per minute or less from the heart rate at peak exercise 2.
- A delayed decrease in heart rate during the first minute after graded exercise is a powerful predictor of overall mortality, independent of workload, the presence or absence of myocardial perfusion defects, and changes in heart rate during exercise 2.
Mechanisms of Altered Heart Rate
- The increase in heart rate that accompanies exercise is due in part to a reduction in vagal tone, and recovery of the heart rate immediately after exercise is a function of vagal reactivation 2.
- Autonomic factors such as plasma volume expansion and enhanced baroreflex function, as well as nonautonomic factors like alteration of the electrophysiology of the sinoatrial node and decreased beta-adrenergic receptor number and density, may play a role in altered heart rate response to exercise 3.
Clinical Implications
- Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a clinical syndrome characterized by excessive resting heart rate or disproportional increasing heart rate during exercise, and treatment with ivabradine may be effective in reducing heart rate and relieving symptoms 4.
- Weightlifting training has been demonstrated to be safe and beneficial in improving functional capacity in patients with coronary artery disease, and may also favorably affect risk factors for coronary artery disease 5.
Considerations for Weight Training
- Weightlifting training should be restricted to patients who are asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic, and should be initiated only after a period of aerobic training 5.
- The use of single limb activities, a maximum intensity no greater than 60% of 1 repetition maximum, and periodic reassessment of the exercise prescription are recommended for weightlifting training in patients with coronary artery disease 5.