Have a heart, ye riders! Training by heart rate is one of several methods for a cyclist; or perhaps a triathlete. It\’s all fine and well to know what your HR is at any level of exertion, but how much is too much? Should every cyclist who is anything like serious undergo screening?

I\’ve had ECHOs, and EKGs, and a treadmill stress test or two. They never find anything, even when my blood pressure is way down and I keep feeling dizzy (and that, before I began cycling!)

According to the video, my orthostatic hypotension following a ride of several hours isn\’t anything unusual. It\’s a relief to know that, but it doesn\’t keep the \”OS\” from being annoying!

Now and then my heart will suddenly start to beat much faster for no apparent reason, even when I\’m just sitting around. Or when I\’ve been sitting on the floor and suddenly get up. I don\’t know what that\’s about! I\’ve done the HIIT Lab test twice, but I don\’t think that gives you an EKG graph. The point of it was to determine my heart rate zones.

Maybe I should see a sports cardiologist? At least I\’d be sure I have a heart.