Racing heart rate

[Accy cyclist]

I've recently been going out with a group of other cyclists on Wednesdays. We go further than i'm used to and they go a little bit faster than i normally do, so the last two rides i've had a hot chocolate with about 5 spoonfuls of sugar during the cafe stop, for the energy. I know i should have slow burning carbs, i've discussed this on another thread, but i've taken loads of sugar thinking it'll give me energy to keep up with the others. The thing is that when i get home and check my heart rate it's about 100 beats per minute, and this lasts for about two hours, When i've been out riding before and haven't taken loads of sugar my resting heart rate reappears(about 63 bpm) after about 5 minutes after i've got home.Could it be the sugar intake making my heart race, or am i just pushing myself too much and maybe i should drop out of the group?

 

[Tin Pot]

No. Sure there's no caffeine going in?

 

[vickster]

Chocolate contains caffeine...Lose the sugar, have a flapjack and a banana

But sounds like the OP is overdoing it. Find a slower group?

 

[Accy cyclist]

No. Sure there's no caffeine going in?

Well the first week i had an expresso, but last Wednesday i had hot chocolate. There's no discomfort,dizziness or any other affects. Even if i lie down still and practice controlled breathing it wont go down till after around 2 hours.

 

[steve50]

chocolate contains caffeine and too much sugar can cause increased heart rate.
When blood glucose is high, the pancreas releases insulin, which then helps to transport glucose into muscle or liver cells. There, it's used for energy. If there's more glucose present than needed, insulin helps the glucose to be stored in adipose tissues as fat for potential future energy needs. One immediate effect of the breakdown and conversion of glucose into cellular energy is an increased metabolism, which can manifest itself in the form of increased heart rate, high blood pressure or some other form of arousal such as heightened mental alertness. A study by Kennedy and Scholey described at Springer Link found that study participants had greater increases in heart rate and performed better when given mental tasks following administration of glucose than control subjects who did the same tasks without glucose. People have individualized responses to heightened metabolism, so sugar may not always cause a noticeable change in heart rate for all individuals. In Kennedy and Scholey's study, subjects who had lower baseline heart rates had the greatest performance enhancements following glucose administration.

 

[Tin Pot]

chocolate contains caffeine and too much sugar can cause increased heart rate.
When blood glucose is high, the pancreas releases insulin, which then helps to transport glucose into muscle or liver cells. There, it's used for energy. If there's more glucose present than needed, insulin helps the glucose to be stored in adipose tissues as fat for potential future energy needs. One immediate effect of the breakdown and conversion of glucose into cellular energy is an increased metabolism, which can manifest itself in the form of increased heart rate, high blood pressure or some other form of arousal such as heightened mental alertness. A study by Kennedy and Scholey described at Springer Link found that study participants had greater increases in heart rate and performed better when given mental tasks following administration of glucose than control subjects who did the same tasks without glucose. People have individualized responses to heightened metabolism, so sugar may not always cause a noticeable change in heart rate for all individuals. In Kennedy and Scholey's study, subjects who had lower baseline heart rates had the greatest performance enhancements following glucose administration.

It would be good to summarise the amount of elevation or link the study.

I doubt it to be this significant.

Accy hasn't mentioned his normal heart rates, but if it's 80bpm in normal activity a few spoons of sugar isnt going to add 20bpm for two hours.

 

[vickster]

He said his normal resting rate is 63

Accy how old are you? It doesn't sound normal especially if the sugar is being utilised for energy in the second half of the ride. How often has this happened? I'd maybe see a doctor if more than one

 

[steve50]

link, http://www.livestrong.com/article/100525-eating-sugar-raises-heart-rate/

 

[Accy cyclist]

Chocolate contains caffeine...Lose the sugar, have a flapjack and a banana

But sounds like the OP is overdoing it. Find a slower group?

There isn't a slower group. The Wednesday lot do the shortest and slowest ride of the 4 weekly club runs. I kept up with them the first week when we did a flat ride to west Lancashire, but this Wednesday we went through the Trough of Bowland and the wind was blowing like feck! I'm not used to riding with others. I like to stop every now and then and take a breather, or to take of my jacket or warm gloves off, but they don't stop so it's do everything on the move,

 

[Accy cyclist]

He said his normal resting rate is 63

Accy how old are you? It doesn't sound normal especially if the sugar is being utilised for energy in the second half of the ride. How often has this happened? I'd maybe see a doctor if more than one

I'm 54. It's only happened on these last 2 club runs in all the years i've been riding. Maybe it's the distance(they tend to do 50 to 55 miles)more than the actual pace they go at that causes it? I went out yesterday on my own and did 32 miles at a slightly slower pace and my heart rate wasn't racing after the ride.

 

[vickster]

So it was a one off on a harder ride? Maybe you either need to get more accustomed to group riding or form your own little group of cycling buddies. You could try the CTC for example too

If it continues, see a doctor for a check of heart, BP and what not

 

[Accy cyclist]

So it was a one off on a harder ride? Maybe you either need to get more accustomed to group riding or form your own little group of cycling buddies. You could try the CTC for example too

If it continues, see a doctor for a check of heart, BP and what not

Ok thanks.

 

[vickster]

And perhaps have a cup of tea and a piece of cake at the stop not 5 lumps of sugar in a sweet drink! If you need a boost later in the ride, you could try an energy gel

 

[Accy cyclist]

Yes i've been told they don't taste very nice.

 

[Tin Pot]

He said his normal resting rate is 63

My RHR varies 58-61, after a ride it's usually dropping to 80 ish while I'm walking about, eating and doing stuff which is normal.

@Accy cyclist
As long as you're feeling ok, I would t worry but measure again after next time and think about what you're doing after a hard ride.

Anyone on this thread thinking a couple of bars of chocolate can elevate your heart rate 40bpm for over two hours is on crack.

Have you been taking crack?