Monitoring heart rate

[Brixcos]

I want to monitor my HR when exercising. I can literally walk for miles with no problem but still struggle up hills (which was the one and only symptom my partner had noticed just before my NSTEMI and CABGX2). I'm thinking I should start properly strengthening my heart in a more structured way, so it would be useful to know where "safe" is, and where I should dial it down.

I don't want an expensive all singing all dancing piece of kit, as I can only see the HR bit being useful at this stage. What would you recommend? It will be mainly for walking, cycling and cardio exercise classes.

Thanks for reading 😊

[ChoochSiesta]

argos.co.uk/product/8887012...

[Brixcos in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Looks good, thanks for this.

[Flitchick]

I’m the same. Fine on the flat, struggle with even tiny slopes. Have you had cardiac rehab? I found that was the best way to learn what I could and couldn’t safely do, exercise wise

As for a watch, I’ve tried a few. IMHO, a polar band synced to your phone will give you the most accurate heart rate feedback. I use that when exercising as Fitbit and Apple aren’t as accurate when my HR goes up. I now use an Apple Watch day to day, giving up my Fitbit reluctantly, because apple seems to be the one which produces heart info which drs will trust (and it does blood oxygen and cardio readings)

Hope this helps.

[Brixcos in reply to Flitchick]

Hi Flitchick, it's a pain, isn't it. I thought I'd effectively have a new heart after surgery so am quite disappointed that hills are still a struggle. Now want to find out if that's because my heart isn't coping or because I'm not fit enough to cope! I did have online cardio rehab which was good, but it did get repetitive so I now do a mix of different cardio/flexibility etc classes online, plus lots of walking.

[Hidden]

Following a HA six months ago I did an online rehab course with my local health authority, they sent me a pulse oximeter, they cost about £10 and are readily available from Amazon. The physio who took me through the programme set me a maximum heart rate whilst exercising, she calculated this from my resting heart rate.

She told me to stop exercising if I was exerted to the point of not being able to hold a conversation.

It was a useful little bit of kit and gave very accurate instantaneous results.

I invested in a £80 smart watch, although useful and provides lots of information to the app on your phone I dont find it anywhere near as accurate as the pulse oximeter.

My "on line" rehab was done with mymhealth.com/myheart

[Brixcos in reply to Hidden]

Hi John, yes I did the MyMHealth rehab programme too. Interesting that you find the pulse oximeter most useful.

[RailRover]

Had Garmin, FitBit, TomTom. Don't find any of them particularly accurate all of the time. I can be at a steady 90bpm on treadmill at the gym and my watch will be wandering between 52bpm and 150bpm! Wouldn't recommend them to anyone of a nervous disposition.

[Brixcos in reply to RailRover]

Luckily I am made of tougher stuff 🤣