Is It Dangerous to Exercise Above Target Heart Rate?

You're probably fine....I know when I've started up working out after not doing it in awhile...I feel like that (at my fattest, I'm 20 pounds over my goal weight). Just don't push past that! You didn't gain your weight in a week and you're not going to lose it in a week. So, listen to your body. Don't hurt your back or knees and then you can't work out at all. Pretty soon you shouldn't feel like that ----if you keep feeling like that after a few weeks---call your doctor. good job! keep up the great work!

I've always been told that you should be able to talk while you are exercising. If you find you can't talk because you are too busy breathing, your heart rate might be too high. Back off a bit and catch your breath.

You really need to ask a doctor. You have too many issues to just say, "yeah this range is good" or "no, you should be in this range".

Target heart rates are a range, and a range for what you're shooting for (cardio endurance, calorie burning ranges aren't the same).

However, for your low blood pressure, you might try drinking a bottle of water before you work out. That will help with hydration, energy and blood pressure.

Here is a NY times opinion on THR:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1D813...

I have exercised for > 4years now - off and on with trainers. Different trainers have different opinions about this. I used to use a HR watch but I dumped it. The reading from various monitors are so different even when used simulteneously that I figured I couldnt bet my success on them.

If you are concerned about risk, I'd suggest see your doc. Where do you work-out? If they have the newer PRECOR machines, I've found those to be accurate on measuring HR.

All the best and hang in tough, girl!

8-)
DC

You can seriously injure youself by going all out. Would you put an old car on the autobahn at 100?
If you are getting faint and light headed than you did to much. I am all about pushing yourself, but 160-165 is called tachycardia. And for an overweight, out-of-shape heart with a stupid trainer you are asking for trouble. You should never be that high with your resting heart rate at 50. ARE YOU CRAZY? And more importantly, IS YOUR TRAINER CRAZY? AND YOU HAVE BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS?
Yes you can hurt yourself. But I would change trainer. For her to say that you are allright, with clear signs of having problems, and she doesn't watch heart rates? I think that is dangerous. As a fat, older, poor exerciser, I can tell you that you need a new trainer. As an RN for 15 years, I can also tell you that you need a new trainer. No trainer worth her/his salt should be putting you in danger with the history that you described. Try curves for a session. They offer one for free as a trial. See what chart they have up about heart rates and sustaining them. IF the workout isn't strenous enough or you don't like it then fine, but you will see where you will need to be. Once you get a little more fit then perhaps 160-165 won't be so bad. But you don't start out with that. You build up to that.
Dear God, please don't hurt yourself by going all out. Working your way up to it is just fine and safe. main thing being SAFE.
Good luck,
L.