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Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 10:00 am
by H2O
I notice a bizarre phenomenon: at easy pace my heart rate jumps around bizarrely, like e.g. here:
https://log.concept2.com/profile/2423512/log/95088330,
while under high stress it doesn't, like e.g. here:
https://log.concept2.com/profile/2423512/log/95158339
is this normal?
My monitor complains that it has trouble connecting with Ergdata (on Iphone 8).
Could this be a reason?
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 10:13 am
by Sakly
The first log seems to show connection issues, or at least reception errors, as there are many plateaus as well. Second one seems to be ok.
Recently my H10 started to pass out in the middle of the rows for no reason. It needs a reset before it connects to the PM5 (or any other device) again. Little bit annoying, when the tech stuff not working as expected...
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 11:16 am
by p_b82
I'd second the fact it looks like it's a connection issue in the top log
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 11:21 am
by MPx
Could it be that you're not sweating enough on the easy row to keep the pick ups moist but are on the harder session? Do you "wet" the chest belt before starting?
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 3:46 pm
by H2O
MPx wrote: ↑December 11th, 2024, 11:21 am
Do you "wet" the chest belt before starting?
I wet both the belt and myself and the belt has a patch of fabric where the moisture is held (which is better than plastic).
But maybe it's not enough.
I have noticed that the measured heart rate seems to have some sort of "memory": often I go on and I know that I am below HR 100 but it shows 130, the heart rate I stopped at on the last row. It then takes a little to go down.
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 5:01 pm
by Dangerscouse
How long have you had it? It might be near there the end of its life due to sweat. Have you got a spare belt to use? I've found that can be an issue sometimes too, especially if you don't at least occasionally wash it.
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 5:34 pm
by nick rockliff
My H9 used to do exactly the same thing. Ended up in the bin and got a Garmin Dual, not had a problem since but have noticed the Garmin strap has started to fall apart.
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 11th, 2024, 11:39 pm
by Ombrax
DIY (Google "diy electode gel")
Or get the real thing:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=spectra+360+ ... yfezkoz3_e
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 12th, 2024, 7:40 am
by H2O
Thanks for all replies. I am a cheap skate and maybe this is not the best approach with a heart rate monitor.
I am going to make my own electrode gel, which seems to be easy enough, see
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Electrical-Gel.
If that doesn't work, I'll have to get the professional solution.
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 13th, 2024, 1:55 am
by jamesg
On a Polar watch I started to see occasional extra electric impulses from the belt, at about age 75.
These caused the watch and PM readings to lock at an arbitrary number between 160 and 240, while seeing 90-120 on a finger oxymeter.
Such additional pulses (extrasystoles) always appear in an ecg.
Then a month or so ago, the extra electric impulses disappeared (from PM and watch), and now pressure and electric impulses coincide again.
However I now get some oppressive/pressure chest feelings suggesting, but not actually causing, sudden death. This has reduced me to max 10x1'+1'R intervals at <100W.
This coming Monday I'll know what a cardiologist thinks about it.
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 15th, 2024, 12:25 pm
by H2O
For context: I have 2 HR monitors, one from decathlon, the other from Amazon (Moffit), each below 30 EUR. The one from Decathlon has a belt where the electrodes are fabric. This is supposed to be superior, as it retains the humidity better. The Moffit HR has plastic electrodes.
Now I manufactured some electrode gel. With this I got a reasonable reading out of the Moffit and inconsistently also out of the Decathlon HR.
With electrode gel the belt with plastic electrodes seems to be superior, since one can clean the gel off more easily.
Electrode gel is definitely a good idea.
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 15th, 2024, 4:52 pm
by Tsnor
jamesg wrote: ↑December 13th, 2024, 1:55 am
...
However I now get some oppressive/pressure chest feelings suggesting, but not actually causing, sudden death. This has reduced me to max 10x1'+1'R intervals at <100W.
This coming Monday I'll know what a cardiologist thinks about it.
Scary. Very glad you're seeing your cardiologist. When you get good news let us know.
Re: Bizarrely variable heart rate
Posted: December 15th, 2024, 9:21 pm
by H2O
jamesg wrote: ↑December 13th, 2024, 1:55 am
However I now get some oppressive/pressure chest feelings suggesting, but not actually causing, sudden death. This has reduced me to max 10x1'+1'R intervals at <100W.
I missed this. Best wishes, I hope you are OK!