Preceptor told HTN patient to keep heart rate below 160 bpm. Any explanations?

Last week my IMED preceptor told a 55 y/o male triathlete (newly diagnosed with essential HTN) to keep his HR below 160 while exercising. When the patient left I asked him about this rate control and he basically told me that it is something he tells HTN patients who exercise a lot.

Patient does not have any Hx of cardiac arrhythmias.

I've searched UpToDate and my IM textbook and cannot find anything, and it has been bugging me all weekend.

Any explanations?

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Preceptor told HTN patient to keep heart rate below 160 bpm. Any explanations?