Heart monitor accuracy and afib

[pagomichaelh]

I've always had issues with a three different chest type heart monitors, and a variety of receivers, going 'out of wack' on my heart rate. It'll show what it really is, then drops down, then nothing. May pick up, may not. Using electrolytic gel on the pickups, moving the strap above/below nipples, no difference.

I'm currently recovering from multi-week hospital stay (first embolism, then bypass and mitral valve repair, then almost as soon as I walked out, nasty covid in spite of vaccine x3). Besides still being alive (IMHO, this is a good thing, ex-wife may have another opinion), I learned that I have a fairly frequent afib.

Anyone have any info as to whether it's the afib that screws up the monitor, or if I'm just plain weird?

[gvcormac]

I have all of those symptoms with my Polar H9, and I'm pretty sure it isn't afib.

Switched to Garmin Dual, and (almost) never see this.

Coospo is pretty good, too.

[Carl Watts]

The Garmin RUN or any of this series has been great but they are expensive. I would try a CooSpo H808S from AliExpress next.

[jamesg]

My afibs cause watches and PM to lock at 240, using a belt signal. Both work up to about 95, but over that I see multiple impulses on the watch (not PM), which don't show at all on a finger Oxymeter.

So I stick to Watts. It is (or was) thought that aerobic HR Range used is linear with Watts, so no need for both. For example, if linearity is 2W/beat, Rest 60, then 120W would cause HR 60+120/2 = 120. which it does. Doc says stay under 120. But HR drifts, so best keep it short anyway.

[pagomichaelh]

My afibs cause watches and PM to lock at 240, using a belt signal. Both work up to about 95, but over that I see multiple impulses on the watch (not PM), which don't show at all on a finger Oxymeter.

So I stick to Watts. It is (or was) thought that aerobic HR Range used is linear with Watts, so no need for both. For example, if linearity is 2W/beat, Rest 60, then 120W would cause HR 60+120/2 = 120. which it does. Doc says stay under 120. But HR drifts, so best keep it short anyway.

Is the 60 a constant, or a variable (the calculation doesn't work out for me).

I'm on a med for the afib, and I notice I don't have nearly the issues with HR monitors (I use a Garmin GPS which also shows HR when I'm on the water).

I also notice about a 30 bpm drop since the atrial valve was repaired!