Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Facebook - How does heart rate relate to weather, temperature and activity?
Print this page
Untitled Document

How does heart rate relate to weather, temperature and activity?

(You defined a question I have never thought to ask, why 10,000 steps? I’ve always thought it best to set a time goal because people have different strides. I have a question, does temperature make a difference on your health? Do you burn more calories walking in the cold or heat? Which is better for your heart?)

1.  The heart is benefited by rate. The faster the heart rate the more value for your heart.  This is because a sustained rapid heart rate improves the ability of the heart to extract oxygen from the blood.

Ideally, your exercise should increase your heart rate to at least 80% of your maximum heart rate.

You can calculate your predicted maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220.

A 20 year old has a predicted maximum heat rate of  200 beats per minute.  80% it that is 160 BPM.  A 76 year old has a predicted maximum heart rate 144 BPM.  80% would be 116 BPM.

2.  The core body temperature reflects the Basal Metabolism Rate (BMR).   The faster your heart rate, the higher your body temperature, and The higher the heart rate the higher your BMR.

Hot weather increases your heart rate and thus your BMR.

Vigorous exercise will increase your heart rate in cold or hot weather but more so in hot weather.

3.   Length of time it takes to return your heart rate to your resting heart rate is a direct measure of your heart’s aerobic conditioning.

As long as your heart rate is above your rest rate, your BMR remains elevated and the more calories you are burning.

However,  with vigorous exercise your BMR remains elevated even after your heart rate returns to resting rate sometimes for 12-20 hours.

4.  Heart rate increases can be the result of walking, jogging, running, swimming, House work, weight lifting, any activity of daily living.