{"id":131,"date":"2007-08-21T01:18:59","date_gmt":"2007-08-21T06:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2007\/08\/21\/heart-rate-monitor-after-open-heart-surgery\/"},"modified":"2025-05-15T19:52:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T00:52:21","slug":"heart-rate-monitor-after-open-heart-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2007\/08\/21\/heart-rate-monitor-after-open-heart-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Use A Heart Rate Monitor After Open Heart Surgery?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Heart
\nMe (Adam) At Cardiac Rehab Clas<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> and you will be taken straight to Amazon’s heart monitor section. (Fyi, I do not make any money from your purchase at Amazon.)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n