Should I buy a HR monitor?

[PegB]

I'm just reading all these biking and jogging posts, and how everyone is tracking their HR. Intense activity for me will probably be a trip to the mall, but is this something I should be watching for post-op??

If so, what's a good one?

Thanks!

 

[Ross]

It's not necessary unless your a competitive athlete. Simply count how many beats in 10 seconds and times it by 6.

 

[PegB]

Thanks! Just saved some $$ on that one, and I will start working on my 6X tables

 

[inlaguna]

If you do decide to do any exercise it can be a good idea to have one. Especially if you would like to keep your heartrate under a certain BPM. Polar makes some reasonably priced monitors and you can find them at any sporting goods store or on-line. Insurance will sometimes cover them given your condition.

Dan

 

[Adrienne]

Should I buy a HR Monitor

Should I buy a HR Monitor

I definitely agree with Dan "In Laguna". I have a Polar F11 HR monitor and it is great when I am on the treadmill. Since I already have a high (within norms) HR, when I exercise, it goes up fast. All I do is walk very fast with a very mild incline, and it will go up to a point that I do not want it to go over. If I did not have the monitor, it would be almost impossible to tell. Trying to put my finger on my neck when I am exercising is very hard. Besides, doing it for only 10 seconds I find can lead to incorrect numbers. If you miss one heart beat, it is multiplied by 6.

 

[PegB]

OK, thanks to Dan and Adrienne, looks like I might order one anyhow. Might be fun to play around with. A-fib is one of my big worries post-op since I don't have it now. I take Toprol 50 mg., but have been on it so long, I don't remember what they originally gave it to me for. I do think it makes me tired. If I forget to take it in the morning, I can always tell because my heart seems to start beating stronger. My Aunt takes it for BP, and her Dr. told her to take it at bedtime, so she wouldn't be tired all day.

I actually do hope to start getting in some sort of better shape once I'm fixed up, and will be walking on my treadmill, and /or going to rehab. Guess I'll go to Amazon and read reviews. Thanks!

 

[SaraC]

Hi Peg,
Toprol is a beta blocker. It helps reduce your BP and decreases the need for blood and oxygen by reducing the workload of your heart. There are other reasons some of us may be on a beta blocker but this is probably the main one for regurg, etc. Some of the side effects can be drowsiness and a decrease in libido (bummer!), a decrease in heart rate, etc. I think it is best taken at night as well. It allows the "first pass" of the medication to go through your body while you are asleep or about to be. With regurg, your heart needs the help every day.
Are you also on an ACE inhibitor like Zestril? This med also lowers BP and also reduces the workload on the heart.
Go to Medline http://medlineplus.gov/ to see more but don't let the long list of side effects of these meds scare you! SC

 

[PegB]

Thanks Sara. I just bookmarked that site for future use. I also take Avapro 300 mg. for my blood pressure. I had taken Zestril for years, but Cardio. switched to this about a year ago to get my pressure down better.

 

[davidfortune]

Peg,

You should be getting moderate cardio exercise at least 3 -4 days per week. This is good for your heart. Good for your chlolesterol, good for your stress, good for antioxidants, good for you bones, etc.... A heart rate monitor is useful to measure your heart rate during even moderate exercise (doesn't have to be vigorous).

Check with your doctor see what heart rate range he recommends. I'm guessing he will say 120 - 140 would be considered moderate.

If you belong (join) a gym, many of the cardio machines have heart rate sensors built in - I usually use that rather than wear a monitor. Helps me keep my heart range in moderate range.

I learned to take my Diovan at night so I wouldn't fall asleep driving to work. Bummer if the blood pressure is low but I'm 86ed by a Freightliner on the way to work. Don't have the 3:00 pm crash as often either since I started meds at night.