Recommendation for a heart rate monitor?

[Cherrybubble]

Hi I am looking at heart rate monitor or fitness watch for my husband and wondered if anyone could recommend any one in particular under £50? Thanks!

[Cherrybubble]

What a brilliant reply thank you that’s exactly the kind of advice I was looking for!

[Nanasboys]

Have you looked at blood pressure machines they have heart rate monitors with them I got 1 because I have to keep my eye on my blood pressure because of my heart failure look at argos they have them like doctors have for under £40

[fixedrider]

I developed a sudden interest in this after my bypass this summer, so here's what I've learned - more background than specific recommendations.

There are two kinds of monitor. Wrist-based ones (built into most sports watches) are good for all-day monitoring, but not that accurate, and even less so in some specific sports (e.g. cycling). Chest straps are better, but not practicable for all-day wear - you put them on for sports and the gym.

So you may want a watch that has its own sensor, but also receives from external ones. Not all low-end ones do; my wife first bought me a Garmin Vivosmart 3, because we were focused on step counting for basic activity monitoring when I came out of hospital, but I got an upgrade for my birthday after the rehabilitation physio sessions encouraged me to go to the gym long-term, and introduced me to chest straps. I've gone Garmin because I'm a cyclist and I already had a Garmin navigation device, but they aren't the cheapest.

Most suppliers now have a Web interface where you can watch the numbers, which get uploaded via your phone. Those often connect together, e.g. Garmin Connect links to my gym's Web interface, which looks at general activity plus gym work and tells me whether I've been a good boy this week.

The best independent reviews are here, but they may be too detailed for a casual purchase! dcrainmaker.com

And don't get obsessed with numbers. The idea is to get well and get out there again!

[it-whiz in reply to fixedrider]

That is probably one of the best pieces of advice - don't get obsessed with the numbers!! A tip my cardiologist gave me, being a cyclist, was don't get hung up on a certain heart rate and listen to your body. If you're struggling to talk and pedal, just ease off a little until you can talk and pedal without getting breathless.

That stood me in very good stead for the last 3 years when my Mitral Valve was leaking.

[Vic-Amlodipine-Knee]

Hello,

I use a Fitbit charge 3 wrist band for basic steps and pulse, heart rate and an Omron BP monitor with the sleeve. The Omron is for accurate measurements. You can get both for around £50.

Regards Vic