What are the risks of long-term high heart rate during running

Long term running with high heart rate may increase the burden on the cardiovascular system, and in severe cases may induce myocardial ischemia or arrhythmia. The risk of high heart rate is mainly related to factors such as improper exercise intensity, potential heart disease, electrolyte imbalance, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and medication effects.

1. Improper exercise intensity

Continuous exercise exceeding the maximum heart rate can put the heart in an overloaded state. The maximum heart rate is usually estimated by subtracting age from 220, and maintaining a heart rate close to this value for a long time may lead to myocardial cell damage. It is recommended to control the intensity of exercise through heart rate monitoring devices and maintain it within the reserve heart rate range.

2. Potential heart disease

Patients with hidden coronary heart disease, myocarditis, and other diseases are prone to abnormal heart rate elevation during exercise. This type of situation may be accompanied by symptoms of chest tightness and dizziness, which are related to insufficient myocardial oxygen supply. Organic lesions need to be excluded through examinations such as electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasound.

3. Electrolyte imbalance

Excessive sweating during exercise can lead to the loss of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium, affecting myocardial electrophysiological activity. Hypokalemia may cause premature ventricular contractions, and magnesium deficiency can exacerbate arrhythmia. Attention should be paid to supplementing sports drinks containing electrolytes during exercise in high temperature environments.

4. Autonomic dysfunction

Excessive excitation of the sympathetic nervous system can cause an increase in baseline resting heart rate, with a more pronounced increase in heart rate during exercise. This condition is common in people who experience long-term stress and lack of sleep, and may be accompanied by autonomic nervous system disorders such as orthostatic hypotension.

5. Drug effects

Some asthma drugs, thyroid hormones, etc. can accelerate heart rate, which may exceed the safe threshold when combined with exercise. When taking drugs that affect the cardiovascular system, it is recommended to consult a doctor to adjust the exercise plan and avoid the synergistic effect of drugs and exercise that may lead to risks.

It is recommended that running enthusiasts undergo regular cardiopulmonary function assessments, choose breathable sportswear, and avoid exercising in high temperature and high humidity environments. Warm up and relax thoroughly before and after exercise, and use interval training instead of continuous high-intensity training. If the resting heart rate continues to exceed the normal range, or if the recovery time of heart rate after exercise is significantly prolonged, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly to investigate potential cardiovascular problems. Daily monitoring data can be combined with heart rate bands or smartwatches to establish personalized exercise heart rate ranges.