After heart surgery I developed atrial fibrillation. Because I don’t always notice the fibrillation, I bought a heart rate monitor. This way I can check my heart rate when in doubt. On the last attack, the meter showed my resting heart rate was 112, while climbing stairs it dropped to 58, then rose again to 112. My cardiologist says the meter is apparently not working properly. Does such a meter have to be calibrated first? I am a man of 68 years. Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
I don’t know if the electronics you use are reliable, but you normally don’t need to calibrate a heart rate monitor. You can check the results of the device by counting your heart rate yourself.
If you really have the impression that your heart rate drops during exercise, you should contact the cardiologist again. You could learn more with an exercise stress test.
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