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Should I Use A Heart Rate Monitor After Open Heart Surgery?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 15, 2025

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.

Heart Rate Monitor After Heart Valve Surgery

Me (Adam) At Cardiac Rehab Clas

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 this link and you will be taken straight to Amazon's heart monitor section. (Fyi, I do not make any money from your purchase at Amazon.)

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.

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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