Frightening Readings on My Polar HRM

lindalee0315
lindalee0315 Posts: 527 Member
edited November 10 in Fitness and Exercise
Recently, my HRM (Polar FT80) has been registering heart rates in the 200-230 mark. This spooks me a little. Yesterday during my endurance spin when I noticed it, I stopped and took my own pulse and it was about what I expected it to be. I had an F8 (I think, it's been awhile) for years and years, and that also would register these odd readings once in awhile. I never feel out of breath or like I would expect to feel if I really had a heart rate in the 200s. I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience with Polar?

Replies

  • cekeys
    cekeys Posts: 397 Member
    Are you wetting the contact points like your'e supposed to?

    Try getting a resting heart rate. If it's too high (mine is 68 BPM @ 6'2", 211 lbs.) then something is wrong with your transmitter.
  • leadoff
    leadoff Posts: 136 Member
    Are the readings spikes or constant? Could be something as simple as the contact points like cekeys said, especially if the readings are spiking. A little vaseline on the contacts usually helps. May want to check the battery, as well!
  • tuffytuffy1
    tuffytuffy1 Posts: 920 Member
    Mine did that just two days ago, gave me a 230 reading! It was definitely wrong. I am guilty of not wetting the electrodes thoroughly because I hate having a wet strap against my skin. But I think that is why you can get wacky readings.
  • lindalee0315
    lindalee0315 Posts: 527 Member
    Thanks everyone. I will try the Vaseline option. I do wet the contacts pretty well, but maybe it slips around/dries out during workouts. I will try adjusting the strap, too.
  • fasttrack27
    fasttrack27 Posts: 324
    An employee at the Spartan Y learned about a serious heart problem via high readings on her HRM. I wouldn't let that go too long assuming its a technical error! If it keeps up, see a doc just to be sure!! I dont seem to ever get false readings on mine. If I dont wet it first it just flat out wont register the HR.
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