monitoring heart rate

hello

I’m about to start diltiazem xl 240mg once a day to aim for a heart rate of 60 (So the cardiologist has recommended) to manage / reduce chest pain. Exhausted all other meds and surgery is not recommended even if there was any chance of it being available.

I have an iPhone, an Apple Watch so can get info from Apple health but not sure I can download etc. I do have a omron BP monitor but that’s just a point in time so wanted a trend / graph over time that can print / show doctor.

So I’m after any advice on how best to monitor heart rate and also suggestions for good apps or devices? I’d like continuous monitoring if possible.

Thanks

[IamAli_R]

Hello fishface101,

I hope you are well

You can use the Apple Health app to monitor your HR. You'll get graph with with daily HR and graphs showing trends over days, weeks and months. The Apple Health algorithm will work your resting heart rate. I think most of smart watches are fairly accurate for monitoring HR at reast and low intensity activity such as walking. You will be able to show your doctors HR data via the app or take screen shots to share the data.

You could also use Cardiogram app (link below). This app takes your Apple watch HR data and adds extra context and evaluation to the raw HR data.

cardiogram.com/

Just a word of warning over monitoring of HR can lead to anxiety in some people which in turn can lead to higher HR.

I hope the new medications works to bringing down your HR. I would recommend regular meditation too. I use the Balance app for guided meditation (see link below).

balanceapp.com/

[Hidden in reply to IamAli_R]

thanks, silly I know but hadn’t thought of screen shots! Will look at meditation too. Noted warning, I have been looking a far bit last few days. I’ll work on letting it record in background. Thanks

[emjay18 in reply to IamAli_R]

Avoid cafenated coffee before measuriing your HR

[Hidden in reply to emjay18]

Should decaf tea be avoided too?

[emjay18 in reply to Hidden]

I dont know - I dont drink tea.

[Maglynne007]

Hi, I take 200mg of diltiazem slow release per day and my resting heart rate is normally below 55bpm and 40-45 whilst sleeping. I have the Apple phone and watch too and find the Apple Health app pretty good. I also have the Heart Analyzer App and HeartWatch app. I tend to use the HeartWatch app the most. Like someone said. I think taking screenshots is the easiest way to copy the data. Hope the tablets agree with you as they do with me.

[Hidden in reply to Maglynne007]

hello thanks I’ll have a look at those apps. I started the 240mg Saturday just gone, I’m trying to be positive but great so far but early days. Noticed I’ve needed my blue inhaler today (rarely use) I’ve found my breathing a little difficult (different to shortness of breath with exertion). I think coincidence as I’m not keen on diltiazem so might be looking for reasons. Am noting it all down. 👍