variation in HR at FTP

In November I did a 60 minute power test on the computrainer:
Avg power: 295 watts
Avg HR over last 30 minutes: 177 bpm

Last weekend I did another 60 minute test:
Avg power 285 watts
Avg HR over last 30 minutes: 181 bpm

ballyharpat said:

I did an FTP test and my HR is Higher than last year. Is this normal, will my HR come down as I train more? What has Everyone elses experience been with starting a new season/year of training with power?
Thanks.

Yes, your HR will generally be higher when rested and will come down a few BPM as your training and season progresses. I'm assuming that your HR was higher at the same perceived exertion since you're talking about an FTP test. There's the possibility that you didn't push yourself as much last year as you did now, or perhaps you had some coffee, or other dietary supplement. HR is fickle, so don't put too much weight into it.

strader said:

In November I did a 60 minute power test on the computrainer:
Avg power: 295 watts
Avg HR over last 30 minutes: 177 bpm

Last weekend I did another 60 minute test:
Avg power 285 watts
Avg HR over last 30 minutes: 181 bpm

wow, so you're power is down and HR is up.
Do you think your HR will come down-I know that with training, your power will go up.

I was thinking that because I have been avoiding any L4/L5 training that my heart may be working harder for a given power output. Or it could be that the later test was after morning coffee, while the November test was later in the day.

strader said:

I was thinking that because I have been avoiding any L4/L5 training that my heart may be working harder for a given power output. Or it could be that the later test was after morning coffee, while the November test was later in the day.

The coffee definitely has an effect, it is interesting going from the first year training with structure and comparing it to the second year, basically, I'm going on blind faith, in that I hope whatever I'm doing works.