Originally Posted by
smarkinson
It might be worthwhile checking to make sure the HRM is indeed providing realistic numbers. Just count your heart rate manually either through your wrist or neck for one minute and compare that with the HRM readings. It's not unknown for HRM numbers to be off. As you say, try dampening the HRM before putting it on to get a better signal.
Bad HR strap signals typically are way too low, gaps in the data, or really sudden instantaneous peaks. A consistently high HR is not unrealistic, but in this case it's probably an indicator of lack of fitness, which is fine. The important thing is to take the data and put yourself on some sort of HR zone training regimen to help improve said fitness.