Heart rate post virus... whats going on?
Discussion
I'm 52, an experienced/reasonably fit rider and had been doing a fair amount of structured Zwift training sessions inc easier rides and a VO2max session once a week. My heart rate in these sessions had been coming right down, minimal HR drift etc and my power had been increasing. All good.
Then I got a nasty fluey bronchitis thing on Xmas eve, which largely cleared up around 2nd Jan in time to go back to the office, yay! I did some gentle spins then have gradually reintroduced my old sessions.
Anyhow, doing the same sessions as before, my HR is much higher, and the sessions feel tougher albeit doable. Last night my av and peak HR during the session was actually slightly higher than when I did the same session last week.
Can I have lost that much fitness with basically 10 days off the bike? Am I still recovering? I feel fine in all other respects.
Should I carry on training as before, or go for more recovery time?
Then I got a nasty fluey bronchitis thing on Xmas eve, which largely cleared up around 2nd Jan in time to go back to the office, yay! I did some gentle spins then have gradually reintroduced my old sessions.
Anyhow, doing the same sessions as before, my HR is much higher, and the sessions feel tougher albeit doable. Last night my av and peak HR during the session was actually slightly higher than when I did the same session last week.
Can I have lost that much fitness with basically 10 days off the bike? Am I still recovering? I feel fine in all other respects.
Should I carry on training as before, or go for more recovery time?
I tracked my heart rate 24/7 for two years and one of the more interesting things about that, was having advance warning of when I was getting ill before I felt ill, and also an indicator of when I was recovered enough to resume full activities. Sometimes you don't realise that you're still ill until you start exercising.
Your resting heart rate is a very good measure of general health. If it's still raised but you feel fine, then I would approach exercise with caution but listen to your body. If you struggling, then that's a clear message.
Also it makes sense that the flu increases your risk of cardiac events, given the increased strain and inflammation from the virus, which is why having the flu vaccine is often important for anyone with a heart condition.
(and also the covid vaccine **ducks**)
Your resting heart rate is a very good measure of general health. If it's still raised but you feel fine, then I would approach exercise with caution but listen to your body. If you struggling, then that's a clear message.
Also it makes sense that the flu increases your risk of cardiac events, given the increased strain and inflammation from the virus, which is why having the flu vaccine is often important for anyone with a heart condition.
(and also the covid vaccine **ducks**)
Edited by lizardbrain on Thursday 15th January 19:38
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