Heart rate monitors / Fitness Trackers for gym use

[Aqua_1]

Hello. Can anyone recommend a fitness tracker that has an accurate heart monitor? Thanks in advance for your replies.

[BobD Volunteer]

Not if you have AF.

[Aqua_1 in reply to BobD]

Thank you BobD.

[Beulah87]

Yes ...

Apple Watch Series 4

[Aqua_1 in reply to Beulah87]

Thank you. I have an android mobile. Please correct me if im wrong but doesn't this watch only synch with iPhone?

[Gincalpe]

Heart monitors are not accurate if you are in AF even the ones with a chest strap but they can give you some indication of increase in heart rate during exercise. For those taking betablockers or other drugs that slow the heart rate the maximum heart rate should be adjusted down as 220- age is too high.

It is safer to use perceived exertion and moderate exercise - you should be able to hold a conversation. This is tough if you were able to do more strenuous activities before AF.

[Martink58]

I have a Polar2 (which I bought on ebay) tried it once. It showed a v v high heart rate. Not used it since.

[momist]

Most "heart rate monitors" don't actually monitor your heart rate, they detect the pulse of increased blood pressure. To 'see' that 'accurately' they tend to look for the regularity of the pulse and average it out over time.

The problem is that when in AF, the heart rate is not regular, and not every contraction of the heart results in an increase in the blood pressure, due to the pulse being miss-timed. The result is that they under read the rate by a significant margin.

There may be a chest monitor available which does pick up the electrical activity and give you a more accurate rate that way, but I have no experience of any and I seriously doubt that there are many, or any, that do not average out their results looking for a rhythm, in an attempt to filter out interference from the electrical noise caused by muscular activity (other than the heart muscle).

[hock217 in reply to momist]

The ten lead monitor is the only way they found my extra node to nowhere. Had it ablated ASAP. The EP was great and I was discharged ten hours later. Wore monitor again a year later when symptomatic. Results were fine. I wish there was cardio monitor that picked up SVT and worked with Android.

[browng]

I use a Fit-Bit in gym and swimming pool when taking light exercise but as already pointed out theses devices do not pick up AFib. My FitBit has picked up Atrial Flutter which is useful in my case as that is all I now suffer from post ablation.

[KMRobbo]

I disagree with the statements that heart rate monitors are not good in AF. The only reason I know I had AF is because my Garmin gps with chest strap detected it. I was on the verge of Bunning the thing but when I discussed the 165 bpm resting HR (which I was asymptomatic with) but the NHS 111 that called me an ambulance during the conversation! When the ambulance arrived I explained to the paramedics that I was worried the Garmin was giving a faulty reading, he hooked me up to an ecg and told me i better get it out of the bin as it was accurate. I subsequently used it on a few occasions when I got high rate AF which I could not control as often in a&e they put a clip on your finger that did not pick up the high rate. When connected to the ecg it again verified the high rate dislayed on the Garmin.

[jondeanp]

Polar & Apple have just used launched new products that monitor HR at the wrist. I have a Polar monitor which uses a chest strap (for exercise). This is very accurate when in NSR, but can be inconsistent when in AF, but can help with an understanding of particularly unusual heart rates as stated by KMRobbo

It depends what your needs are. I am currently considering one of the new Polar/ Apple watches for my next upgrade.

Personally i like the fact that the Apple Watch with cellular (mobile network) connectivity could be useful when out for a run and needing to contact home if anything happens. However, for me it is currently unnaffordable.

The new Polar Vantage watch is a more affordable alternative with similar functionality (without the cellular connectivity though).

If i was looking solely at an activity tracker with HR tracking i would consider the Polar A370, but as before i would say again it depends what your needs are

[Billiam54]

Hi Aqua_1,

You do not say whether you are in AF or NSR, so for what it's worth, here's my sixpenny worth.

I use a Polar chest strap coupled to a Polar 430M watch when training; it is extremely accurate and gives me instant feedback as to what my heart is doing and therefore I am able to train in specific heart rate zones and avoid over exertion. That being said I am currently in NSR. The strap also automatically couples to the display on Techno Gym cardio machines which is handy. Unfortunately I did not use it when I was in AF, so I can't comment on its accuracy when in this condition. I have tried a couple of different wrist heart monitors and found them to be inaccurate when compared to the chest strap, particularly when using the Concept 2 rowing machine. Good luck.

Bill

[Aqua_1 in reply to Billiam54]

Thank you Billiam54. I am in NSR and just wanting a reliable monitor to check my rate whilst i am exercising. I will look into the Polar Chest Strap and Watch. Thanks again.

[RickyM in reply to Aqua_1]

Hi Aqua 1,

I was just catching up with your search for a reliable heart rate monitor for exercising with afib.........how did you get on with the research?

I have permanent AF and like to exercise and therefore my need is similar to your own.

I currently use a Mio watch which shows I can hit 200 bpm quite easily........I hope it is inaccurate.

.

[Aqua_1]

Thank you all very much for your replies.