HRM unreliability - what's the deal?
08-28-25 | 01:11 AM
#26
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 205
Likes: 97
10+ years ago I had a Polar wrist watch with a strap that lasted maybe 1 year, then I bought cheaper Chinese straps, lasted even less, I think they lost their elasticity quite fast. I stopped at this point. The watch is still fine otoh.
By the way this happens sometimes with electrodes during ECG, especially Holter, some people are just very difficult to monitor, but in this case it's obvious that these are artefacts, "noise", and not lower HR.
Just make sure this is not real bradycardia during effort, if you can see lower HR in real time, listen to your heart and sensations. Some heart blocks can be dangerous...
By the way this happens sometimes with electrodes during ECG, especially Holter, some people are just very difficult to monitor, but in this case it's obvious that these are artefacts, "noise", and not lower HR.
Just make sure this is not real bradycardia during effort, if you can see lower HR in real time, listen to your heart and sensations. Some heart blocks can be dangerous...
08-28-25 | 07:47 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,804
Likes: 1,820
From: North Central Wisconsin
I have two Garmin watches -- one of them is the latest and greatest (Fenix 8). Neither of them gives HR data that is even close to the accuracy of a cheap chest strap HRM, and so they are not very useful for many on-bike workouts such as intervals. My solution is to buy a cheap chest strap HRM (which, IME, works as well as an expensive one and lasts about as long) and replace it when necessary. (Which is about every two years.)
I do know that some people have better results with Garmin watch HR monitors -- but I don't.
I do know that some people have better results with Garmin watch HR monitors -- but I don't.
