Review of pulse rate monitoring gadgets

Thought I'd throw this out for other ICD user's that have had the same issue as me. Ever since getting an ICD 6 months ago I've been overly concerned with keeping track of my pulse rate while exercising. Prior to my single VTac episode earily this year I was a daily 4 or 5 mile jogger. At this point I do a long daily walk and include a shorter jog with it.

At first I purchased a Fitbit HR to keep track of my pulse rate. Worked fine for everyday life but when exercising at times it either gave me a wrong rate or would flat out just blink with a blank screen at times. Reading it in the day light was also very hard if not impossible.

A couple of weeks ago I purchased an Apple Watch 2. I love everything about the watch including the heart rate monitoring but I kept finding that the rate was'nt always accurate while I was running. Something that was super important to me seeing that I don't wish to be shocked. As for everyday walking around the Apple Watch seems to be fairly spot on with the rate.

What I ended up doing was purchasing a Polar H7 heart rate chest strap to connect to my Apple Watch. This Polar H7 was something like $49.00 on sale at Best Buy. Of everything I've tried, this Polar chest strap is the most accurate thing I've used. I can finally exercise knowing what my true heart rate is. 

For day to day use I still use the standard Apple Watch pulse rate monitoring but simply wear this chest strap while exercising. So far I'm happy with the results and feel good about not getting a surprise shock.

If anyone has other experiences I'd love to hear them!

5 Comments

fitness tracking

by Cabg Patch - 2016-10-18 14:45:35

For years the old timers here have complained that the fitness trackers just don't work. Well more accurate, they are inaccurate at best. There was a recent expose' If I recall within the past couple weeks where they found none of these devices available today are worth the cost

Fitness tracking

by Drake3287 - 2016-10-18 16:21:39

Although I agre there's some truth to that, it seems like most "experts" agree that the chest strap monitors are generally the most reliable vs all the other wrist type options. In comparing this Polar monitor to my acual heart rate, it's pretty darn close to being the same.

I need to use something so I'll keep with what appears to be working for me. 

Another option

by Figallegro - 2016-10-18 20:09:48


While recently considering various HRM, the chest strap devices did not feel confortable for me to wear all day, although I have used Polar monitors with chest straps for years only while exercising. During a visit with the EP nurse, I was talking about keeping track of HR and she suggested just buying a oygenmeter/pulse meter for $15 at Amazon. I bought one and it comes with a neck strap and a clip on option. It is very accurate, I can leave it my finger while jogging, and provides oxygen level. I also have a FitBit Charge HR and find it to be accurate enough and the graphs I can view after syncing with phone are great.

Free App

by MizBee - 2016-10-28 00:17:08

I use Instant Heart Rate Monitor on my iPhone.  I use the free version.  It's very accurate.  I was in the EP's office, hooked up to the EKG machine and having my PM interrogated at the same time.  I told the nurse to wait a minute so I could see if the phone app was accurate.  All 3 of them had the exact same heart rate.  Hope this helps!

Pulse with Apple Watch

by Jeanniebabe - 2018-02-10 09:53:36

I used my Apple 2 watch to monitor my pulse pre pm.. now that I am post surgery, my pulse shows the same as before, sometimes at a very scary low. I was told it will no longer be accurate because when the pm kicks in it’s not the same so devices can’t pick it up... what works!?

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