HR monitor and working out.

Hello,
I've read a few posts that people are having problems with their HR monitors. I was just thinking that I needed a new strap. I've only had my PM in for two weeks (getting staples removed today). My pm is set for 50 and will help me reach 140. I don't seem to go over 70 on a 4 mile walk. Today it dropped to 38 but it's not supposed to go below 50. Anyone else have problems with it not picking up your rate? Second question. How long do I have to wait before I get to start exercising? I'd like to cycle soon.
Thanks for any feedback!

7 Comments

counting

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-23 05:09:51

If you pick up a rate lower than your minimum on the monitor, stop and count manually. They're notoriously inaccurate with us. Also, pvc's and things like that can affect the count, pick up the big beats but miss small beats in between.

Ask your dr about returning to activity. I was allowed as soon as I felt up to it so I started walking immediately, however I stayed off the bike until after the 6 week was up. Riding was fine, but I didn't want to risk a fall. Recumbent bike is fine.

Garmin

by wjs1954 - 2014-09-24 01:09:55

never had a problem with my garmin.
even had it on when they had me hooked up for a stress test and interrogation (for a adjustment). All three showed my HR with/in a beat or two..

Garmin

by lhogue - 2014-09-24 03:09:28

Then I will buy a new strap and try again. I have three straps and tried them all. Someone said try it backwards. I think the pacer throws it off and the arrhythmias. But I love to upload to strava and see my suffer score. An 11 is not impressive. :(

Tom Tom

by ChrisD - 2014-09-24 08:09:14

I have been through a number of iterations with monitors. I know some folks have luck with different brands and models that use a chest strap. I had two with chest straps and both were screwed up by the PM. I finally settled on a TOMTOM watch type that goes on the wrist. The back of the unit has two very bright green LEDs and a photo sensor. Instead of trying to pick up electrical signals that are supposed to result in a heart beat, this one illuminates the skin below the watch and sees the rhythmic beat of the capillaries. It works great for me.

Chest strap HR monitors

by JerryG - 2014-09-24 11:09:45

don't work for me. The last chest strap type I tried was a Garmin FR70 which started working and then after a few weeks stopped working at all; not even incorrect readings! My contact tech at Garmin South Africa told me the PM interferes with the signal between the chest strap transmitter and the wrist computer and they haven't been able to find a 'fix' for it.

I now use a Mio Alpha which uses the Philips patented technology to read the blood flow in the capillaries under the unit and using an algorithm converts it to bpm. The unit is worn on the wrist like a watch. It's one drawback is it can only record one workout; I overcome this by using and app called BLE HR Monitor on my Android phone to record the workouts and upload them to computer for further analysis. The Mio uses blue tooth low energy (blue tooth ver. 4) to transfer data to the phone app.

I have had my PM just a year now. My cardio said at the time of implant I must stay off my treadmill for 3 weeks after implant and not lift my arm above my shoulder for 6 weeks.

I can only walk briskly on the treadmill as I have other nerve problems in one leg after 3 major back surgeries but I can still get my HR up around 75% of my age-maximum HR so the treadmilll works for me.

I have just returned from the 'big smoke' where my cardio + Medtronic technician checked out both my PM and my heart function. No setting changes; they got those right back in March. Cardio says my heart function is 'excellent' and I should make it through the next few months at least :-)

Greetings from the (hot) bushveld of South Africa

Jerry

Another thought

by Grateful Heart - 2014-09-24 11:09:45


Don't know if this will work for you but I have a Polar HR monitor that appears to be very accurate for me. We are all different but the BS website stated to put the strap on with the sensor on the opposite side of your PM/ ICD. So my AICD is on the left but I make sure the strap sensor is on my right, not too far from center and it doesn't interfere.

I know it's pretty accurate because my HR went up over 200 during an exercise class and at the next interrogation it showed when that event occurred on the same date and time of the class and showed my HR within 3 bpm of the HR monitor.

So maybe if you wear the monitor on the opposite side of your PM it may work for you too.

Happy exercising,

Grateful Heart

HR Monitor and working out

by lhogue - 2014-09-24 12:09:24

I love this site and all my new friends. Thanks for all of the responses. I saw the PM clinic yesterday and was advised to stop looking at my HR and go by feel. I promised to give it four weeks and in return Boston Scientific rep promised to come to my house and make adjustments while I'm on the Spinner and treadmill. I thought that was pretty cool. Today was my first jog outside without the HR monitor on and instead of walking I jogged. I felt fine, probably because I didn't have a watch telling me I was jogging with a HR of 38 bpm. =) The only thing that bothered me was the wound but it feels much better since they took out the staples yesterday. JerryG - I got cleared for my spinner and treadmill yesterday at 14 days. Yippee!
The TomTom watch or Mio Alpha might be the direction I need to go. Too bad since I have four Garmin devices.
Thanks everyone for the great feedback!
South Africa sounds hot!

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