Watch/Heart Rate Monitor/Blood Pressure

[Magic8Ball]

Just a thought, does anyone know of a device that can be worn as a watch that also does heart rate monitoring and also (probably not) blood pressure.

As i'm going in for surgery probably in 6-8 weeks it would be nice to get some trend data of how my ticker works now and then compare it to afterwards.

The cardiologist says my blood pressure is fine so i guess everything is working ok now but would be just nice to have the figures to back it up and not suddenly worry about my heart rate when it could be the same as its always been.

Obviously i could google it but it would be nice to go by personal recco rather than just take a stab in the dark....

Anyone sick of my dumb questions yet?

 

[mntbiker]

I use my HRM as a watch all the time. Of course you will need a seperate device for the blood pressure. I like the polar HRM, they are very reliable and hold up well. There are some out there that don't need a chest strap but they are not as accurate, if you just want to get a baseline for your HR just do the old pulse check at different points during the day. As soon as you wake up before you get out of bed, just after getting up and then some random times during the day. Your HR obviously will vary at different points in the day and this will give you a good idea of how it runs.

I use the omron wrist BP machine, I have compared it to the reading at the doctors office many times (bring it with me and take my BP before and after they do it) and it has always been very accurate. Since my BP usually runs higher in the doctors office this has helped when I argue with them about increasing meds to lower BP. The omron is sold in just about every chain pharmacy as well as wal-mart and it costs about $50.

Good luck.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I like the polar HRM, they are very reliable and hold up well. There are some out there that don't need a chest strap but they are not as accurate.

I suppose i'm looking for one without a chest strap to take readings and store them to be downloaded to a PC. If its slightly less accurate i suppose it will be just as innacurate after the op and therefore will give me a valid comparison. The chest strap option sound the go for a monitor when doing exercise as you want the accurate reading for that.

Cheers for the recco on the BP machine, i will try and get one of these.

Regards.

 

[Lotti]

Watch it

Watch it

Have a look at the Polar web site. I use one of these at rehab and down the gym. They do loads of different types.

Lotti

 

[Jas0n]

i believe that the only hrm that store data to be downloaded at a later time will also have a chest strap. as an aside, having dealt with hrm's for quite a while (i sell them at my shop and i also own 4), the one thing i should caution with the polars is battery replacement; that is, given that the polar is a sealed unit, it must be sent back to polar for a batt replacement, which means loosing your hrm for 3 weeks!

 

[MarkG]

I have used a Moi heart rate monitor watch. It does not use a strap and I have found it to be very accurate. In fact, I have tested it with an EKG when I was in rehab and the rates were identical. However, it does not meet your requirement of downloading to your PC but that may be different now.

Currently I am thinking about getting a Suunto T6 which you can download your data during your exercise. You can purchase a foot pod or one for your bike and track your speed and altitude during your exercise. It is expensive, but a very cool watch.

Mark

 

[MarkG]

make that Mio not Moi

 

[Hot Rod Harry]

I have used a Moi heart rate monitor watch. It does not use a strap and I have found it to be very accurate. In fact, I have tested it with an EKG when I was in rehab and the rates were identical. However, it does not meet your requirement of downloading to your PC but that may be different now.

Currently I am thinking about getting a Suunto T6 which you can download your data during your exercise. You can purchase a foot pod or one for your bike and track your speed and altitude during your exercise. It is expensive, but a very cool watch.

Mark

Where would you purchace one? Do you have any online info? Thanks.

 

[Jkm7]

I purchased a Mio Sport heart rate monitor today at our local Wal-Mart. It is wrist watch style, does not require a chest strap, and the price is $37.86.

Web address is: www.miowatch.com

Telephone is 1-877-566-4636

 

[Adrienne]

Polar HRM

Polar HRM

I have a Polar F11 heart rate monitor which I wear when I go to the gym. It's great! The chest strap for that model is flexible and more comfortable than most. It is very accurate.

 

[MarkG]

The Suunto t6 is at www.suunto.com

 

[Magic8Ball]

Well after all that research it turns out the one with the best support here is Polar so i've bought the FS3 which is the reccomended one on their site for cardio rehabilitation. It was only $138AUD which is nothing so if the battery only lasts a year that will be fine, it's supposed to last 18 months or so but i guess they don't expect people to be wearing it 24x7.

I exchanged emails with Mio but they don't distribute over here yet but i answered so many of their questions about where they should target their watches over here that they are going to see if they can send me a complimentory watch. Will be nice if it happens.

As for my results, sitting here at my desk at work i'm running at about 80, if i'm typing that raises it to 85 (??) Riding my motorbike to work was 80-90, walking up stairs with motorbike gear on plus backpack was 112 and sitting at home last night lounging on the sofa watching tv was around 61.

So getting some good figures to see how i do post surgery as a comarison.