Heart rate monitor

[VMroom]

Hi everyone. I'm looking to buy a heart rate monitor primarily to show a cardiologist evidence of POTS and long term to aid M.E. pacing. I've been told chest strap options more accurate than wrist devices. Can anyone advise please?

[LornaAnne_X]

Hi ive found the kardia by AliveCor to be really accurate for recording my ventricular rhythms to show doc I don't really think there would be anything appropriate to show pots try doing the stand test at home take note of your results if you think there worth investigating approach your doctor with them also there's a really useful guide on the pots uk website you can print off to take to your doctor to help them understand as most of them don't or don't care =/ good luck =)

[VMroom in reply to LornaAnne_X]

Thanks for replying. The cardia looks really good. I bought a polar A370 heart rate monitor in the end as can use it for pacing too. It will give the cardiologist an idea even if not as accurate as ECG. Yes have printed off the POTS info. I'm lucky it doesn't happening all the time now on standing but then that means maybe harder to diagnose! Thanks for your help )

[Starry in reply to VMroom]

I have the a370 too. My Cardiologist accepted the results as evidential.

I find my pots-like symptoms go away during a PEM episode. I have read pemming blunts your heart rate. Its made diagnosis hard as getting me to hospital induces PEM. And I had the 7 day chest hrm during a major crash and quiet spell. I do wonder 8f it's not straight forward Orthostatic Intolerance which is a recognised part of ME anyway. So hard to tell. I've asked my cardio what the distinction is. (I get the pots case definition).

Curious to read his answer.

[VMroom in reply to Starry]

Yes I was thinking the same about the test, what if that's when everything is ok & you're snookered. My cardiologist didn't really take on board the graphs I'd printed out. Said 'normal' people can have spikes etc but then did a quick standing BP test & admitted my "physiology was all over the place". I know at the minute being as I've already been bed bound for over 3 months I wouldn't be physically able to do all the tests you mentioned before.

I've been told you can get specific grade compression tights for POTS on prescription & that electrolytes work though buy them yourself.

I just want all the chest pains checked out to know if everything is ok as the cardiologist seemed to forget this after admitting he knew little about ME or Pots