Puzzled, need to buy a Heart Rate Monitor NOW

[Guest]

I went to cardiac rehab today, was given the ok to run slow on the treadmill. Five minutes into my run, after a 3 minute walk warmup, my heart rate went to 180. The nurses stopped me from running, I felt fine, no shortness or breath. I was allowed to do a 2 minute walk, 2 minute run for the remaining 22 minutes(I do 30 minutes on the treadmill) My heart rate still went to 150 - 160. They were still a bit nervous with it getting that high.

Have any runners encountered anything like this after their surgery?

I've been advised to get a heart rate monitor if I intend on running at home, and I do, so I'd like to get the wristwatch one that you don't have to wear the band around your torso.

Does anyone know the brand name for it? I'm going to Academy Sports and Outdoors tomorrow to buy it, if they have it. The nurses also want me to bring it with me on Monday to make sure it is accurate.

 

[Bina]

There is a nice wrist monitor by the name of "Mio".
Do a google search on it, they even have ladies models and colours.
Lots of athletic and sporting goods stores have them.

 

[starrman]

Not a runner and I had my AVR and root surgery a week before yours. After 8 weeks, I started rehab and am on session #11. I currently have a total of 37 minutes of exercise with a targeted heart rate of 20% above rest. With that said, I have had unusual increased pulse rates off and on since surgery running less than 20 minutes at a time and getting further and further apart. My last one was 11 days ago. My cardiologist says these are not unusual for OHS but has me on an event monitor in case another comes up so he can see it.......for whatever thats worth. There is absolutely nothing that I know that causes it......my pulse will jump from 90-100 to 130 during these episodes.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Most Sporting Goods stores and even the Sports section of Walmart carry Heart Rate Monitors.

POLAR is a popular brand with a good reputation at moderate prices ($40-60).

Even the Basic Low End monitors are usually OK ($30).

The KEY is to have good electrical connection between your skin and the sensor pads. There is some sort of spray that can be used. I just put a drop of Saline Solution from a Nose Spray bottle on my pads. Worked Fine. SWEAT also works but takes more time to activate.

I had a similar response once, after about 20 minutes on the treadmill, as I was tapering down. They called an Ambulance and took me to the ER. I was in Atrial Fibrilation (a.k.a. A-Fib). A Beta Blocker kept that under control for years, even at a relatively Low Dose, fortunately.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Magic8Ball]

Yep, your heart rate can go a bit nuts after surgery until you train it again.

I remember that even 5 months after surgery, i went to play indoor cricket for work as they were short a warm body....when i had to bowl (which i suck at) my heart rate jumped to 190 for about 5 minutes...i was freaked.

You are not alone.

Regards.

 

[Guest]

I found my HRM

I found my HRM

Settled for the Polar F4, not a lot of fancy bells and whistles, $89.95, and it will suit me for now. Thanks for your comments.

It's 75 today, I guess I'll have to shave my legs , put on some running shorts , and try out my new monitor !

I almost bought some hand weights to use at home, I have 3 lbs and 5 lbs, thought about a couple 8 lbs as that's what I'm using at card rehab, better hold off until I decide how wild I want to get with this new heart valve.

 

[spartangator]

Polar F4

Polar F4

Hi Louise,
If you don't mind, could you post a quick note about your experience with the F4? That's an HRM I was looking at so I'd love to hear how it worked out. Like you, I was just given permission to start running a little so I'm in the market for a monitor myself. Thanks. Hope you had a chance to enjoy the nice weather.

 

[Guest]

So far so good....

So far so good....

Hi Spartangator,

I live in Austin. Runtex on 1st street did not have them in stock, their other locations were out also, they could order but sent me up to REI on Lamar, just past 6th heading North, on the East side. Runtex was about $10 more than REI for price.

I like the F4, the strap was more comfortable than I thought it would be, I used a polar before and the strap would not stay in place. This one fits great and its comfortable, didn't know I had it on during my walk/run, it did not rub on my incision. The watch was easy to set with my height/weight/age/max and min hr. It tells you how long you exercised, calories burned.

I did not run the whole time but was able to walk/run 3 miles. I let my heart rate go to 172, walked until it dropped to 145, then ran again. The streets in my neighborhood are not all flat, I got a good work out. I may go to the high school track and see if my heart rate stays below 172 longer than 3 minutes. At no time was I short of breath, just didn't want to push too much. This morning I felt good, went for my usual walk with my pups for about 30 minutes.

I used to run 35 - 40 miles a week 2 years ago, 8 - 8 1/2 min mile training pace, 7 min mile race pace. I may be setting my sights too high right now but my goal is 7 min miles again, my husband and I are planning on running the Army 10 Miler in October.

 

[tprice54]

Nice Run

Nice Run

Louise, nice start back into running. Running the Army 10 miler is a great goal. Please do not get too upset if your times do not get back to what you ran a few years ago. Many of us are back running, but some do not get back to running as fast. First, it will be a good year before you are TOTALLY in shape (I didn't believe it, until it happened to me!). That make you a few years older than when you ran those times...even without OHS, you may not have been able to match times from years past. Fear not! That is why we have POPR (post op personal best)...

 

[kodi]

Louise, nice start back into running. Running the Army 10 miler is a great goal. Please do not get too upset if your times do not get back to what you ran a few years ago. Many of us are back running, but some do not get back to running as fast. First, it will be a good year before you are TOTALLY in shape (I didn't believe it, until it happened to me!). That make you a few years older than when you ran those times...even without OHS, you may not have been able to match times from years past. Fear not! That is why we have POPR (post op personal best)...

I really agree with Tom 100%. I'm still struggling to get back to my pre-surgery times and it's been 16 months. One thing I'm resolved to is I'm way past those 8 minute training runs and 6:30-7:00 minute race times. I've logged a few POPRs since surgery...5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon and marathon. It's nice to set PRs with a different attitude. Good luck in your training. I really like the 10 mile distance, they're just too few around.

 

[Guest]

Louise, nice start back into running. Running the Army 10 miler is a great goal. Please do not get too upset if your times do not get back to what you ran a few years ago. Many of us are back running, but some do not get back to running as fast. First, it will be a good year before you are TOTALLY in shape (I didn't believe it, until it happened to me!). That make you a few years older than when you ran those times...even without OHS, you may not have been able to match times from years past. Fear not! That is why we have POPR (post op personal best)...

I know as we get older our times slow and I do expect OHS to have an impact, but I'm willing to challenge myself, without endangering myself, to see how much I can push the envelope. I started running in 1991, age 31. When I was training for my first marathon, the two men I trained with said first timers rarely finish under 4 hours, I ran the Ft Worth Cowtown Marathon in Feb, '93, finished in 3:55:09, I had a goal of 3:30:00. All of my competitive running has been with a bum ticker, now that I'm fixed, it will be interesting to see the difference, either way.

I ran the treadmill today at rehab, zero incline, 3.5 speed for walking 4.6 for running. My heart rate went to 158, 3 minute runs, 2 minute walks, (I cheated a bit as I was not supposed to run 3 minutes ) for 30 minutes. No shortness of breath or heavy breathing. My fitness level is coming back fast IMHO.

I know I'm blessed in many ways, especially my recovery as others are going through difficult recoveries. When I run the Army 10 Miler in October, as long as I'm healthy and able to do so, I'm taking the whole VR.com Family with me, in spirit. I'll have to talk to Hank about a special racing singlet for race day!

 

[toughcookie]

me too

me too

This happens to me too, and it especially unnerved me b/c I read somewhere that mechanical valves have a failure limit. A few weeks ago, the elliptical machine hopped up to 180 bpm. Then, to make things better, it scared me and I had a harder time slowing things down.

On a positive note, my resting rate was around 100 for my first year out of OHS, and after stopping Wellbutrin (which I'd been on for ages for depression), it is finally steady in the 70's. What a relief.

 

[Adrienne]

I have a Polar F11 which is more than I really need, but I like it because it has a very comfortable strap.

 

[Guest]

3 1/2 months post op

3 1/2 months post op

I'm up to 5 minute interval runs at 4.6 mph, on the treadmill at cardiac rehab, no incline, and I let the heart rate monitor warn me when my heart rate goes into the 160s. This past Friday, I was able to run for 20 minutes with 1 1/2 to 2 minutes walks at a 1 degree incline in between. My heart rate rose to 157 during the last 5 minute run, dropped back into the 120s with the 3 minute cool down, total time on treadmill, 30 minutes.

I'm glad I have the heart rate monitor now, I can see my progress with aerobic conditioning, and my heart recovers quickly from the stress of running.

On Monday, they want me to see if I can increase to 6 minute intervals. My runs feel good, no shortness of breath, by the time I reach the last interval, my heart rate tends to rise but during each recovery period(while walking) my heart rate drops fast.

 

[Philip B]

Monitors

Monitors

I use a Polar CS200 which is designed for cycling. It's been an excellent monitor.

On Thursday, I finally got out of the cast I acquired in December for my broken foot. It felt pretty good to get the monitor strap on and get back on my bicycle.

I'd never used a heart monitor for exercise before having OHS. It's pretty cool to be able to monitor the heart conditioning process.

-Philip