Is your heart rate too high while running?

BeachLife Physiotherapy • 10 November 2025

Find out how to settle a high heart rate!


First: Why it happens?

Your heart rate can spike for many reasons - not always fitness related.


Common causes:

1. Starting too fast

2. Hot or humid weather

3. Hills / Elevation

4. Fatigue or poor sleep

5. Caffeine / Stress / Dehydration


STEP 1: Slow your pace early

If your HR climbs quickly in the first 5-10 min:


Ease back until you can speak full sentences again (Zone 2-3 range)

You should feel under control, not chasing your watch.


Your heart rate will settle once your body warms up.


STEP 2: Focus on controlled breathing

Try a rhythmic breathing pattern like:

3 step inhale - 3 steps exhale (for easy runs)

2:2 or 2:1 for faster efforts


This helps calm your nervous system and lower your HR naturally.


STEP 3: Check your environment + hydration

If it's hot, your HR will rise 5-10 bpm for the same effort.


Run earlier or in the shade

Drink fluids / electrolytes

Adjust your pace, not your target HR


STEP 4: Use effort zones, not just numbers

HR is useful, but not perfect.


Combine with:

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) 1-10 scale of how hard it feels.

Talk test: If you can't talk = Too hard for easy runs.


STEP 5: If it stays high consistently

If your HR is elevated  across multiple runs:


You might need a recovery day or easy week.

Check for overtraining, poor sleep, stress, illness, or dehydration.


A persistently high resting HR >5-10 bpm above normal) is a flag to rest.

















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