Open Question: What is the limit in terms of my heart being elevated during exercise?
I am a 38 year old male and over the last couple of months I have lost approximately 20 lbs., primarily by being more mindful of my eating in addition to logging quite a bit of time on the treadmill. My wife has voiced concern after she noticed that during one hour long session on a treadmill, my heart rate would periodically climb to 180 bpm and then some. I explained to her that I alternate the intensity of my workout by walking at 4 mph for two minutes, followed by running at between 7 & 8 mph for two minutes, which in turn elevates my heart rate significantly. She says it is not healthy or safe for my heart rate to be elevated that high, even if it is only two minutes at a time. So I’m looking for someone knowledgeable about this sort of thing to give me an informed opinion. Am I taking a risk by exercising the way that I am? I had always heard that one of the best ways to lose weight via a treadmill was to constantly raise and lower your heart rate throughout your workout. I would really welcome an informed opinion on this matter along with perhaps a point of reference that I might go to on the internet to support whatever opinion anyone has to offer.