Warden11

Tonight as I was jogging, my heart rate was @ 216 in 13th minute (on my HRM). This kind of scared me so I cut it short and walked the rest of the way. Came back down and I feel fine now. That just seemed awfully high because I didn't think I was working that hard.

Is that really high, especially when I didn't feel like I was pushing too hard? I'm wondering if my monitor is off.

dark13star

Heart monitors can be inaccurate. Were you wearing a lose shirt over it? Was there wind?

Make sure you moisten it before putting it on, and wear something tight over it. Otherwise, nor really enough info here for a more detailed answer.

Warden11

It was tight against my chest and kept seemed to be an accurate measurement up to that point. Wind was blowing, what kind of effect could that have?

aham23

friction will cause some false readings. normally high ones. get to a track and do some sprint work to determine you max hr. something like sprint the straights walk the turns until you fill like puking. then you will find your max running hr. later.

Seedy J

It more than likely was. Before I finished my warm-up on my ride today, it showed that I had a max HR of 225. Happens pretty often... last year I thought my max HR was 205 because of a similar glitch/interference. Intervals were even more painful than they should've been.

biker2011

There are other factors to consider as well... Do you have an irregular heart rhythym? HR monitors give your HR after so much time is elapsed and multiplies it by whatever to get to a minute. If it fluctuates greatly then that is probably your answer.

Edit: So what I am saying is that if it calculates your HR every 3 beats then you may have 4-5 beats consecutively then hit a pause have 2-3 beats spaced further apart then back to the fast beats again.

On the other hand, I am very fit and I have a comfortable HR of 200+ when I exercise. I know it sounds bad, but everyone is different.

ericgu

Two thoughts:

First, it could be that you have a smaller heart than average. Some people just have high heart rates.

Second, radio frequency interference can mess with readings. There's a state patrol headquarters near where I ride and my HR monitor (polar 720i) pegs whenever I ride by there.

Oroluk Lagoon

Did you take your pulse manually for comparison?

I used to have sessions of PAT (paroxysmal atrial tachychardia). My hearbeat would double or triple due to a "short circuit in my wiring". This can occur even when you're not exerting yourself. If that happens you probably ought to see a cardiologist.

Warden11

No, I didn't check it. Good idea though. I was honestly so confused and surprised that I pretty much just went blank. Haven't had it read that high in the last week, but if it happens again I'll check it.

valygrl

If it's that high for real you will feel it.

If there is wind and your clothing flaps, it can generate static that the monitor strap picks up as heart beats. I used to have a Polar that read really high in certain places, under some electric lines.

also if the batteries are old, you might want to change them.