Originally Posted by
Carys
I think Joe is absolutely 100 percent right, and was going to write something similar - because I have experienced exactly what you are talking about with heart rates. My heart rate goes down to under 70 bpm, maybe 65, when I'm relaxed, not thinking about it, not stressed etc. The moment I start moving and fretting about it, generally it sticks around 120 with any movement, and goes much higher with say climbing stairs. I've been in patterns where I fear it for days and the longer I fear it and even think about it, the longer it stays higher. People, can control their heart, some people can anyway and to be honest I KNOW I can make mine speed up hugely by even thinking 'oh my heart is racing...'. One day I could climb a hill (and I do walk a lot) and feel I can't breathe and my heart is hammering, the next day when I'm not thinking I can zip up and have perfectly acceptable heart rate.