I am 15 years old and a high school student and have been noticing for quite a while that my heartrate runs atleast 15-20 bpm faster on weekdays when I am riding with the same effort and cadence as on weekend days/days that I am off on vacation. I was wondering, how much does stress affect heart rate. I do take a pill for concentration, but it is in a very low dose, so I don't see how this could affect my heart rate that much. (I only take the pill on days I go to school).
... I was wondering, how much does stress affect heart rate. ...
Interesting observation. Have you noticed a rise in your waking pulse for school days vs. weekends?
No doubt stress or strong emotions can affect your heart rate. This became real clear to me on the start line of a bike race many years ago. I'd done my warmup, was on the line ready to go, my HRM was showing 98 bpm, not unusual for post warmup. All of the sudden the PA system started blasting music, the announcer got on the mike and started hyping the start of the race. I looked down and saw my HR hit 180 bpm and I was standing still. 180 is about what I usually held in a fast crit back in those days, matter of fact I'm not sure I got much higher than that during the entire race.
Anyway, lots of stuff can influence your HR but it is interesting that you see a repeatable pattern. It could be the meds you mention or it could be that you're stressin' on school 🙂
Interesting observation. Have you noticed a rise in your waking pulse for school days vs. weekends?
No doubt stress or strong emotions can affect your heart rate. This became real clear to me on the start line of a bike race many years ago. I'd done my warmup, was on the line ready to go, my HRM was showing 98 bpm, not unusual for post warmup. All of the sudden the PA system started blasting music, the announcer got on the mike and started hyping the start of the race. I looked down and saw my HR hit 180 bpm and I was standing still. 180 is about what I usually held in a fast crit back in those days, matter of fact I'm not sure I got much higher than that during the entire race.
Anyway, lots of stuff can influence your HR but it is interesting that you see a repeatable pattern. It could be the meds you mention or it could be that you're stressin' on school 🙂
I haven't taken my HR right when I have waken for a while...but I may try that and see if there is any difference.
I haven't taken my HR right when I have waken for a while...but I may try that and see if there is any difference.
Good plan - you take your med in the AM with food ? If you are on a ADD type med, they are a stimulant, but have a paradoxical ( one opposite fromwhat you expect) calming effect on the ADD patient. The effect on the body is still as a stimulant , easily causing the HR elevation you describe. Have you always ridden or have you started since you started on the med ? POSSIBLY with a good physical stressing source ( riding) you MAY not need it . This is for your doctor and parents to decide though my young friend. cheers, Old fart RN
This thread reminded me of an article I read recently on Pez. I thought it might shed some light on the subject, not particularly scientific, but it covers this area. pezcyclingnews.compezcyclingnews.comOpen ↗
