Heart Rate Monitors

[LG17]

I am looking for a heart rate monitor that I can wear on my wrist.
It has to show current heart rate and be able to upload the information to my computer.

I have recently had a number of mini strokes and tests have shown that my heart is 'going missing' for 21% of the time. When I say going missing it apparently is talking gobbledy gook to itself instead of beating properly.

I have worn a Holter Monitor from the hospital a couple of times but, Murphy being Murphy, everything seems to be ok then, and you only get to wear them for 24-48 hours.

I am after something that I can wear 24/7 that will monitor the beats and obviously so I can upload the info to show the docs what and when.

I have zero knowledge on these things and hoping someone here does and can help me out.

[User55555]

I would go with Apple Watch, it's up there cost wise but it has a huge support base with the app and you can get specialty apps that will gather information using the heart rate monitor. I got a mate one after several heart attacks, he now uses it to track his physical activity as well (as in steps walked each day and stairs climbed).


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[DBourne]

I'm a Garmin user, through and through. However, for your application you may need to speak with a GP to see if there is a medical spec option out there.

For example, the Garmin Fore runner 235 does wrist based HR monitoring, and can upload to garmin connect etc (web based software).

[BPXR6T]

Fitbit surge does the job for me. A few reports in the media about being inacurrate, however we have tested against other devices and its give or take 5 beats.

[LG17]

I don't own any Apple products. Will they talk with Windows or Android stuff?

I'm also going to Prince Charles next week to get one of theirs for 2 weeks but would really like my own for a while at least.

Unfortunately 5 beats could be very important in the big picture.
The old ticker already gets down to the 40s when it really shouldn't.

[.:4:.]

I bought my wife a samsung gear fit (samsung phone though) and she loves it. She is more concerned about the pedometer but it will do heart rate if you turn it on. The main reason I bought her that as opposed to a watch so to speak, is in childcare you aren't allowed to carry anything personal with a camera in it (for child protection reasons) so this thing has no camera, and she can receive texts and facebook messages whilst leaving her phone in her locker

[whitelion65]

Whatever you get, hope it all works out for teh best!!
I've used Garmin in the past, by the way.

[olfella]

I have a Garmin Vivosmart HR. They are a new model on the market but from my research, are accurate and reliable. It communicates with my phone and downloads to my computer for better analysis. IMO it has a better display over the Fitbit and can display a graph with max and min at any time. Google is you friend if you want more comparisons or prices, but I am very happy with it.
I should have added there are lots of phone health apps that it can share info with.

[LG17]

Just read some reviews on that one - Thanks Oldfella!

...and a big thanks to all those who have responded so far; it's really appreciated!

[olfella]

Originally Posted by LG17

I don't own any Apple products. Will they talk with Windows or Android stuff?

I'm also going to Prince Charles next week to get one of theirs for 2 weeks but would really like my own for a while at least.

Unfortunately 5 beats could be very important in the big picture.
The old ticker already gets down to the 40s when it really shouldn't.

Pretty sure you can set upper and lower limit alarms in the Garmin to alert you when you go outside of the set limits. Will have to bone up on the manual... It would also be good to wear one while using the hospital one as reassurance that it is as accurate as they claim.

[mcnews]

I am about to take delivery of a Garmin Fenix 3 HR, hope it lives up to the hype.

[SB076]

There was some tests awhile ago, basically the Fitbit and Garmin products are reasonably accurate (as someone said with 5 beats per minute of the actual heartbeat) The Apple watch wasnt as accurate and also has a shorter battery life

[cheap]

Polar.

They've been around for a lot longer than the others and their products work. They may not have all the bells and whistles of Apple, but if you need to know what your heart is doing, they will provide you accurate information.

[Falcman0o7]

Do you feel it when it misses a beat mate?

[LG17]

It doesn't particularly miss a beat as much as beats (or part beats) all over the place - a bit like an engine misfiring then running on all cylinders, then misfiring...

i don't really feel it as such but I don't feel well so I know there's something amiss.

[DBourne]

Sounds like you have a lumpy cam!

[mcnews]

Been going all week without needing a recharge with the Fenix 3 HR. Bluetooth it to garmin connect and it gives you a heart rate trace, and resting heart rate etc.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by LG17

It doesn't particularly miss a beat as much as beats (or part beats) all over the place - a bit like an engine misfiring then running on all cylinders, then misfiring...

i don't really feel it as such but I don't feel well so I know there's something amiss.

Doing any exercise? It's how I control my arrhythmia. Repetitive, slow stuff like bike riding. Gets the heart back into a regular rhythm every time.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Doing any exercise? It's how I control my arrhythmia. Repetitive, slow stuff like bike riding. Gets the heart back into a regular rhythm every time.

Yeah I still ride my bike carefully and have a fair bit to do around the property so I get exercise.

[Ratmick]

If you want accurate heart rate measurements you'll need a Polar (or similar) with the chest strap.

I've had three Fitbit Surges, the first one broke and the replacement broke. I sold the third unit on eBay. They're also fairly bulky.

I'm using a Fitbit Charge HR. Smaller and more compact but as with all wrist-mounted heart rate monitors I wouldn't be using it for medical diagnosis.

You need to charge both of the ones I have used twice a week if you're exercising (I do mine Wednesday and Sunday evening).

The Basis Peak is meant to be not too bad in regards to the limitations of wrist-mounted HR monitors, the sensors on the back protrude and jam into the space between the two arm bones in the wrist. It's not noticeable (apparently). However you'll need to import one from the US as no-one sells them here yet. Basis is owned by Microsoft, they're meant to be a solid enough unit (I might get one when the Charge HR goes).

The Fenix looks ok, although horrendously expensive...

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Bought the missus a fitBit Surge for Xmas, both her and my daughter use it and are happy with it.

I have put it on and it seems quite comfortable.

Not 100% water proof, and probably not much good of you are working for a living or working on cars and stuff, (She teaches at the local Primary School so not much wear and tear)

[LG17]

Well...

After discussing one with the specialists I'm not going ahead.
They reckon while most of them are a pretty good bit of kit for "normal purposes" none of them are accurate enough medically for me.
In one way I'm a bit peed off but in another I'm glad I just didn't go out and buy one.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by LG17

I am looking for a heart rate monitor that I can wear on my wrist.
It has to show current heart rate and be able to upload the information to my computer.

I have recently had a number of mini strokes and tests have shown that my heart is 'going missing' for 21% of the time. When I say going missing it apparently is talking gobbledy gook to itself instead of beating properly.

I have worn a Holter Monitor from the hospital a couple of times but, Murphy being Murphy, everything seems to be ok then, and you only get to wear them for 24-48 hours.

I am after something that I can wear 24/7 that will monitor the beats and obviously so I can upload the info to show the docs what and when.

I have zero knowledge on these things and hoping someone here does and can help me out.

It sounds like you are having runs of AF (atrial fibrilation) which is a leading cause of strokes.

Most "fitness" heart rate monitors will be of little use to you as they do not store a ECG tracing, the purely monitor heart rate which is of no diagnostic value. Sorry for the bad news.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by LG17

Well...

After discussing one with the specialists I'm not going ahead.
They reckon while most of them are a pretty good bit of kit for "normal purposes" none of them are accurate enough medically for me.
In one way I'm a bit peed off but in another I'm glad I just didn't go out and buy one.

They are good for what they are designed for, motivating you and monitoring your exercise. I would recommend you to get one to keep an eye on your exercise so that you don't over/under do it. The best thing you can do for your hear is exercise at an appropriate level.

Most heart monitors will give you a reasonable guide to the rate of your heart during exercise but none will give any medically relevant information.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by LG17

Well...

After discussing one with the specialists I'm not going ahead.
They reckon while most of them are a pretty good bit of kit for "normal purposes" none of them are accurate enough medically for me.

I figured that would be the case. Did you want it for your own interest, or was it for diagnostic purposes, because if the latter, a specialist can provide you with a loan unit AFAIK for short periods to get good quality data over a longer timeframe.

[LG17]

I have had a loan unit for the last couple of weeks and will have for another week or so.

The trouble is I have no idea when the ticker is stuffing up as I don't feel anything so I need a monitor to tell me when so we can work out exactly why.

[bernbo]

A quick google got me to this which talks about an event monitor designed for a longer term than the holter.

http://www.centralsydneycardiology.c...cg-monitoring/

[LG17]

That sounds like what I have now.