Have permanent AF. Using monitor to show heart rate during exercise. However all seem 'confused' by AF. Any successes with monitors with AF?

[Crockerne]

[Hidden]

Sounds maybe like the problem I had. I have a chest-strap monitor, a Pulsar, which works perfectly, then suddenly it'll go off into the clouds when I think I am just having a bout. Then it would suddenly drop in an instant from over 200 BPM to 80 !!!

So I bought a second monitor, a wrist-only version (Alpha-Mio). When the Pulsar goes bananas, the Mio doesn't. But, with the Mio, if I walk swinging my arms, it starts to give low (and incorrect) readings. But generally I find the Mio works better for me.

With my Pulsar I ignore the high readings if I feel OK, and just take it that I'm in AF and it can't cope with it. I did email Pulsar and asked if the unit averaged the readings over time and they said no it gives immediate results. Anyhow, I think that's maybe why it goes to pot for me. May work for others though, suppose it depends on your AF?

At the Patients Day, the EP said not to rely on sports-type monitors and he explained why. He said to go with how you feel more than anything. He said if you want to hear what your ticker is doing, use a stethoscope.

[Garywf in reply to Hidden]

I am going to try the MIO-Alpha because it's a bit difficult (and illegal) to use a stethoscope if I'm out on my road bike.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Crockerne

I'm the same as Koll, my Pulsar goes through the roof for no reason when I know my pulse is not that high, not sure there is any machine which will accurately measure.

Good luck

Ian

[dylanfield]

Many of these devices including the automatic blood pressure machines do not work well if the pulse is irregular, as is the case in AF. Some are better than others, I had a Polar and that was quite good. These devices are more convenient than taking out a stethoscope in a public place and listening to your heart! Even the cheaper ones are quite accurate when the pulse is regular.

[tibetan36]

Hi everyone! I have a polar heart monitor which does a similar thing......I can be just sitting with my pulse reading 60 bpm's. I have a pacemaker so it's set at 60, then all of a sudden it runs up and bounces around 180-240 etc and stays there for about ten minutes. I do not feel anything in the way of chest pain when it does happen. I am on Amioderone at the moment so my pulse rate rarely goes above 90 when I am out walking. My theory is, is the Polar heart rate monitor picking up something that is happening in our hearts that other monitoring equipment don't? It just seems strange that Koll has similar experiences with a different brand heart rater monitor!

Cheers

Barry