Personal Heart Rate Monitor

I have a pacemaker/ICD and plan to start to exercise in earnest when allowed. Are they any personal heart rate monitors out there on the market that can accurately monitor your heart rate (and BP) without interference from the pacemaker/ICD? I have Medtronics equipment. Thanks!

5 Comments

Check with your doc

by COBradyBunch - 2012-03-14 01:03:04

BP might be a tough thing. But I use both a Polar and a Garmin for my workouts for HR (and garmin for GPS) and neither has had any major issues with the pacer. ICD... well if it shocked you it might also shock the chest strap but I would think the unit would be fine.

You might want to also checkout the facebook group we put up for pacers as well. Paced Athletes or something like that. They may also have some good ideas.

GOOD LUCK and GO FOR IT!!!!

I use a Garmin

by jfuhring - 2012-03-15 12:03:12

I asked the same question to my EP prior to getting the Biotronik pacemaker. I have a Garmin Forerunner 610. The doctor said there is no interference. You should not have a problem.

Thank You

by rogood@comcast.net - 2012-03-16 10:03:59

Thanks for the feedback. The Garmin Forerunner 610 is one I will explore in more detail. I already have a Polar with the strap and the results of inconsistent,

heart monitor/pacer

by Mitch - 2012-03-26 12:03:44

Of course discuss with Doc. But I have been riding with a monitor ever since I received my pacer. I have used 3 different monitors and had no problem except I did find that if I put the strap too high, above the ribs, I get a false reading and the rate does not slow as fast as it should when effort is stopped. My doc says no problem and that most monitors just say do not use with pacer as a CYA.
I currently use the Sigma bike computer/monitor.

Polar FT60

by oldpilot - 2012-04-01 09:04:20

I've been using a Polar FT60 for a year; works good; I got my PM in June 2010.

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Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.