Blood pressure is the issue, not heart rate. Heart rate is just an easier way to track exertion levels. But, the heart rates of concern are usually 120 to 150 or more, depending on the person. The Buffalo Protocol is not about causing damage from exercise. It is about Return to Play criteria. It is about conditioning the brain to tolerate exertion so there is a better expectation that the brain can tolerate another impact from play.

If exertion causes headaches, it just means the brain has not relearned how to control blood flow.

A damaging headache would be excruciating, not just annoying. It is still good to avoid those annoying headaches or learn relaxation techniques to reduces those annoying headaches.