POLAR HR MONITOR

I use a Polar HR monitor for runnning. Will i still be able to after use it after I get my Pacemaker?
It does have a chest strap.

Thanks Holly

7 Comments

Monitor

by HelenB - 2008-06-12 01:06:12

Hi Holly,

If you go to the "search" option on the top right on this site and look up "polar monitor" or "monitor" (or something along those lines) you should be able to find a few discussions on this subject. I know that a week or two ago there was one, and I think the conclusion was that it would be safe. I am thinking of getting one myself (I have an ICD).

Take care,
Helen

THANK YOU

by LIVE_STRONG - 2008-06-12 02:06:02

Helen,
I will go to seaarch and look. I did not even know you could do that! Thats a nice feature.

Thanks, Holly

search

by HelenB - 2008-06-12 02:06:54

It's a great feature of this site.. I have learned a lot by searching through older posts.

Helen

no problem

by gevans - 2008-06-12 06:06:27

I run with my Polar HR monitor every day - not an issue.

sometimes malfunctions

by albie - 2008-06-12 09:06:39


Depending on your type of pacemaker you may have some difficulties. I had problems with the polar monitor reading double my heart rate. It was recording both the heart beat and the firing of my pacemaker. It won't hurt you to use the monitor, you may just get some inaccurate readings. For the most part, mine has been accurate when doing cardio work and less accurate when doing core strengthening.

Double HR

by ElectricFrank - 2008-06-13 01:06:49

As albie mentioned some HR monitors can read double at times which could be disconcerting. The problem is that the monitor detects both the pacemaker pulse and the wave generated by the heart contraction and reads it as two beats. The problem only happens with the monitors that use the electrical ECG signal. If the monitoring electrodes are over the heart area the problem will be worse as the pacer pulse is greatest in that area.
When I first started exercising with my pacer I used a Mark of Fitness monitor that measured blood pulse in my finger tip. Since it didn't use electrical signals the double pulse rate wasn't a problem. It was more sensitive to bouncing along at a fast walk or run though.
There have been some questions about the belt type that use wireless to send the HR to a wrist unit. The idea was that the wireless could interfere with the pacer, but I doubt it is a problem.

frank

Nike's don't work

by jeff79922 - 2008-06-13 12:06:46

I used a Polar Heart Monitor for over 10 years. 2 years ago I got an ICD, and actually didn't think twice about using the monitor after surgery.
A couple of weeks ago, I needed to get a new monitor...I actually outlived my Polar after having bypass surgery 11 years ago! I bought a Nike monitor and it won't work on me with the ICD. I wondered if I should even be using one and called Boston Scientific, who made my ICD. They said they only tested Polar and have cleared them for use, but "assumed" all the others would be safe too. They said the problem is not the monitor interferring with the pacemaker, but the pacemaker/ICD interferring with the monitor to give it false, or in my case, no reading.
I'm going to look for a new polar since they've been cleared and I know they work.

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Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.