HRM PM Interference

Hello,

I’ve had my PM for about 2 years now. Anyway, I have continued to exercise since then. However, I’ve gained a few pounds and have been running 3-5 miles 3/4 times a week for the last month. I like to monitor my heart rate and try not to exceed 160bpm (I’m a 49 y/o male). However, I’m having what I believe to be interference from my PM to my Watch/Strap Heart Rate Monitor (HRM).

Has anyone else had this problem? Are there brands/models that are less prone to interference?

Thanks,
Steve & St. Jude

3 Comments

Heart Rate Monitor

by donb - 2010-10-18 11:10:19

Hi Steve&St Jude, I have a Timex RSS 210 which I use with my present St. Jude PM (Feb 2 2009). I used it also with my previous Medtronic Enrythm PM with no problems. As I participate in Cardiac Rehab (1 stent) I use it with all their exercise equipment and does a great job. Also other PM patients are having good results with other monitors at the same facility. I might mention that mine did go wild when I exceeded my upper limit on my Medtronic PM which was set at 150. I did retreat from the treadmill as it indicated 75, 150, 75, 150 which I believe is what my PM was doing along with shortness of breath. As lots of members have mentioned having poor results with their monitors maybe I was just lucky with my (China) Timex for under $40. donb

HR Monitor problems

by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-19 01:10:16

It may not be interference as such. Most HR monitors use the ECG signal from your heart picked up on the chest by some electrodes. The problem that happens is caused by the spike in the ECG wave due to the pacemaker. Under some conditions the monitor can read the heart signal as one beat and the pacemaker spike as another. This has the effect of the monitor seeing 2 pulses for each real one and you will get a reading that is actually 2X. Changes in posture as you run can cause the problem to come and go giving an erratic reading. Even gaining a few pounds can change the nature of the signal at the surface of the chest.

Hope this is an understandable explanation. I'm an electronic engineer and get carried away sometimes.

frank

cycling/running with a PM and HRM

by Mitch - 2010-11-04 02:11:16

I had a PM installed in 07. At first I had lots of problems with my Polar monitor, Usually HR suddenly showing 250BPM (I was 71 with a max BPM of 170) No ill effects just inaccurate readings. Then I changed to a Sigma cycle computer and HRM. First rides I found it stayed accurate re BPM but would not come back down when I slowed or even stopped for anywhere from 30-60 sec. to longer. I moved the chest strap lower on the chest, below the ribs, and the problem went away. I have been using it now for over 12000 miles and no more problems of any kind.
I dont think my pacer has ever paced while I was riding.
I suspect though that the above comment is correct in that regard.
I have never had a problem with it while running either.
Ian

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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