I am 54 years old (female) and had a heart attack (they think it was a coronary spasm) at age 47. I've begun to work out recently with a personal trainer (I am about 80lbs overweight) and he is concerned that I have a difficult time getting my heart rate up. After 20-30 minutes of Cardio (3 MPH at a 2% + incline on
the treadmill) my heart rate is still around 98-105. I think I should just be working harder? Or it could be a result of taking Toprol XL even though I do not have high blood pressure and never have. (Cardiologist thinks taking 1/2 of a 100 mg per day is a good idea to prevent future MI.) I also take Simvistaten, 81 mg aspirin, Tizanadine Gabapentin daily. I smoke cigars daily. My Trigliycerides just came back at 223, but the rest of my cholestoral was normal. Total was 180. My heart rate while standing still is about 68.
Need I worry? I want to continue to work out and get some of the weight off and give the the cigars. The trainer is surprised my heart rate is so low and is worried.