Why does the heart rate go up when jogging?
Patient: My heart rate goes above 170 when jogging at 6.0 with 1.5% incline on the treadmill.  Seems high and way above my "target zone" If I went just by my target zone, I would have to walk the entire time.  I don't feel too stressed when I am running, but feel like I need to slow down.  If I do sprint, I am sure it would be off the charts.  I have been jogging for about 2 months now ever other day and was hoping it would maybe go down.  Also, this is interval training.  Walk for lap, jog for 2 walk a lap, jog a mile, walk a lap, jog a half mile, walk a lap job a lap. So a total 2.25 miles and running 1.5 miles.  When I walk in between it goes down about about 137-144 which is still over what my target zone is supposed to be.   Suggestions? Doctor: HelloIts physiologically normal for the heart rate to go high during work outs. Its normal to achieve your target heart rate and there is nothing wrong even if your rate is going above THR. Some people do have a higher sympathetic drive due to which there rate goes beyond there THR.Dont worry.Regards