Exercise Heart Monitors

Just wondering if anybody here has used a exercise heart monitor while running, walking etc. They have a strap that goes around your chest by your heart with a low frequency to pick up your HR, so I was just wondering if that would interfere with our PM? I called the Dr. office to ask so waiting for the answer but thought this site is probably quicker and more hands on experience. Thanks for any input. :) Carol

5 Comments

yes and no

by Tracey_E - 2010-01-28 02:01:56

The monitor will not interfere with your pm. Sometimes the pm will interfere with the monitor, though. For me, my pm interferes with the signal and the monitor tells me my hr is 0. For others, it picks up the heart beats as well as the pm spikes so it tells you your rate is a lot higher than it is. Some use them without problems. It all depends on your pm and the type of monitor. I'd suggest asking to try it out in the store before you buy.

For Me Yes

by donb - 2010-01-28 04:01:15

HI Carol, I have been going to Cardiac Rehab for a number of years and use a Timex RSS 210 monitor, works great. Most of the other patients also have them, some also havePMs' and have good luck. I have had mine with a Medtronic PM and now with a St. Jude. As Traceysays, they don't always work, might mention if two or more people have similar units you could be getting readings from the person next to you id you're real close.
I had an experience with my last Cardiolite Stress test where their monitor equipment would not work with my Medtronic PM (Year 2007) and ended up not being able to do the treadmill but had to have the Persantine (rat poison) injection which they give to people who can't physically do the treadmill.

I have found that using my monitor that I don't mentally psyche out my HR with the montor as I can usually count on skips checking my pulse physically. The good thing is they don't cost a lot and a real aid even while driving to get a quick reading. donb

Polar F6 both pre and post

by COBradyBunch - 2010-01-29 06:01:06

I use mine almost every day. I am getting a few more 'interesting' readings than I did pre-implant days (of course the battery is weak also which may relate to some of that) but mostly it works great. It uses the standard Polar chest strap setup and I love it. Great way to monitor your workout progress and make sure you are neither working too easy or too hard (can you really work out too hard??? Yes but I break that rule a little too often probably). Highland recommend them for aerobic exercise of any type.

reply

by cfritza - 2010-01-30 07:01:57

Hey thanks you guys for all the great advise!

in the beginning...

by GMan - 2010-02-06 12:02:08

I used the Monitor all day every day. Now once in a great while. Mine is a SPORTLINE from KMART. Around $39 no strap. It works well!!!

gary

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