Leading up to my heart valve surgery, I had always been active and athletic. From soccer to surfing, I really enjoy sports. Mostly, I think I like being outside.

But, I also like the endorphin rush after a good run, swim or hike.

Adam Pick At Cardiac Rehab Class
(Torrance Memorial Hospital, California)

Interestingly enough, I was never really interested in monitoring my heart rate during the first 35 years of my life.

Then… I had my open heart surgery.

Guess what? From then on, I became a little more interested in the pattern of my heart beats. I really became good at heart rate monitoring during my second month in cardiac rehab.

Thanks to the excellent help of Debbie, Karey and Socorro at the Torrance Memorial Cardiac Rehab Clinic, I was able to get a solid understanding of how and when to (i) increase my heart rate and (ii) decrease my heart rate.

To help me, I purchased an inexpensive heart rate monitor. I believe you can get heart rate monitors at most sporting stores (Sport Chalet, Big Five) or Wal-Mart. I just looked at Amazon. If you want, click below and you will be taken straight to Amazon’s heart monitor section.

[1] Heart Rate Monitors At Amazon.com

I think my heart monitor cost $40. From what I hear, you should not buy an expensive model. Most of the monitors (e.g. Polar) all use the same technology.

Keep on tickin,

Adam

P.S. If you would like to learn how to minimize the stress of heart valve surgery and enhance the patient’s recovery, you may want to read my book, The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery.

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