Polar FT60 Update

Hi -

I finally reached Polar (the company that makes heart rate monitors) in the U.S. I talked with a very nice gentleman who told me the straps for the heart rate monitor do not contain a magnet, so it should all be fine.

Wanting to be sure, I called Medtronic (my PM company) and talked with customer service. They, too, said the heart rate monitor is safe with PM's and everything should be fine.

However, the FT60 is also a GPS unit. Medtronic warned me against using it on my left side or near my device as there could be intereference. So, I just carry it in my Bento on my bike or in my back pocket and all seems fine.

I also checked with my nutritionist - why would I be pacing more than usual, could it be my recent exposure to gluten? As someone with a gluten intolerance, I was concerned about a possible connection. She said my heart issues could very definitely be related to my gluten exposure. I had been eating gluten for the last few weeks without knowing - the only symptom I had was my heart. So, I think I have it figured out and am trying to heal my body after exposure.

Thanks for all the helpful responses regarding the HRM. Appreciate them!

Tracie

3 Comments

GPS

by ElectricFrank - 2011-04-09 11:04:05

Interesting! I wonder what is in the GPS that would interfere with the pacer. GPS is a passive device that only receives signals from satellites.

In fact I was out hiking in the hills today with my trusty Garmin tucked in my left shirt pocket 2" from my pacer. neither one bothered the other.

One of these days all that interference is going to accumulate blowing my circuit breaker. They will find me laying on the ground glowing in the dark with tears running down my Medtronics Pocket. LOL

frank

Been using Polar since I had my implant

by COBradyBunch - 2011-04-12 05:04:01

No problems what-so-ever. Even used it right after implant to see what my heart was doing at night while I was sleeping and I could download the data to my computer. Of course since my pacer wasn't firing at the time all I did was wear out a chest strap battery.

As for GPS's some are not just passive as they can communicate to other devices so it probably just depends on the GPS you are using. I have one for my bike that is passive but does receive signals from a sensor mounted on the bike although I haven't heard of anyone having pacer issues related to them (but then again, it does seem like the faster I pedal the faster my heart rate goes... hmmmm... of course it did that pre pacer as well ;-) )

Been using Polar since I had my implant

by COBradyBunch - 2011-04-12 05:04:03

No problems what-so-ever. Even used it right after implant to see what my heart was doing at night while I was sleeping and I could download the data to my computer. Of course since my pacer wasn't firing at the time all I did was wear out a chest strap battery.

As for GPS's some are not just passive as they can communicate to other devices so it probably just depends on the GPS you are using. I have one for my bike that is passive but does receive signals from a sensor mounted on the bike although I haven't heard of anyone having pacer issues related to them (but then again, it does seem like the faster I pedal the faster my heart rate goes... hmmmm... of course it did that pre pacer as well ;-) )

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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