Exercise and resting high heart rate

Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 19 2008

Q: I am a 65 year old woman in good health. However, is it ok to workout on days when I have an elevated heart rate?

A: If your heart rate at rest is abnormally high, you need to be evaluated by your doctor. A normal resting heart rate in a person over the age of 10 years ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. People in better physical shape will be in the lower part of the range. For exercise purposes, the maximum number you should get your heart rate up to is 220 minus your age. In your case this would be a maximum rate of 155 (220-65=155).