I'm pretty big into fitness and do a lot of work on the bike. About month ago I got a minor cold, and ever since I've had lingering phlegm in my throat…nothing bad but just always there. What's frustrating though is that ever since the cold, my heart rate has been 10-15 bpm higher than normal, both resting and during my cycling workouts. I've taken it easy on the bike, not trying to overdue it, but man this is getting old. Anyone else have this happen? What was your experience?

Never thought about it, but why is it frustrating?

Because for the same power output on the bike my heart rate is much higher, effectively a significant decrease in fitness.

sure it was just a cold? i had this issue with Covid. took a while for things to return to normal.

FlowCtlr said:

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Because for the same power output on the bike my heart rate is much higher, effectively a significant decrease in fitness.

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If it is, its very likely not permanent, and just may mean you need a bit longer recovery from your illness before you get back to your normal level of fitness

I mainly monitor my pulse while I sleep. Average had been 45-50. Had shingles in September. It jumped 10 points. Just the past few weeks my pulse finally got back down in the 40s. Though I felt fine since mid October and still been exercising, it just took my body longer to recover than I wanted it to.

It will go back to normal when your body is fully recovered, sometimes takes a few weeks. BP and HR are normally key indicators when you are sick

Just to update -
Took about a month and a half after only getting a minor cold for the heart rate to normalize but it's now back to normal.

Recently getting over Flu Type B. Maybe this explains why Olivia Amato's peloton classes have been kicking my ass more than usual the last few days