Forum menu
[Closed] Weird heart rate readings - what can I do?
Went out on the road bike today and used my HRM for the first time in a long time. About 10 miles in to the ride (with lots of climbing already done) I get to a hard climb that I know I don’t like, but only because I blow up on it. (Norwood Edge)
So today I approached it slower than usual. It ramps up to 16% from flat almost instantly but I noticed even after 4 or 5 pedals strokes I had gone from 135bmp to 174 (pretty much my absolute max) and that’s not going hard or using a big gear etc.
Normally I would have to stop about 100yds further up the climb and catch my breath back before continuing. With the HRM on I just slowed until my heart reached a more manageable level. I then continued the climb
It just appeared odd to me how my heart went from nothing to max in seconds. Can it be psychological ?
I get exactly the same feeling when I start a ride/run with other people where as if I’m by myself I never feel this way. ie completely out of it , to the point of feeling like I need to stop. Half considering taking the HRM running too !
Just interested in people thoughts. Is it psychologically induced or can going on to a very steep climb ramp your heart rate up that quickly ?
Tried changing the battery in the chest strap? Last time I was getting odd readings it was the battery.
Batteries
Faulty HRM
As downhillfast says sounds a bit like a battery problem or some random other crap (even with a good battery I find every now and again it can go batshit occasionally).
If you were at max you should be feeling it. Check your heart rate manually or with a phone app to compare it.
or just ditch the HRM
or just ditch the HRM
But then he'd have had to stop 100 yards up the trail to get his breath back 🙂
Sounds like artefact to me - check your strap and maybe new battery, maybe use some electrode gel to get a good signal (I'm told flappy or rubbing shirt can cause spurious readings if the actual signal's weak)
If it happens again, get off and take your pulse - see if that matches (USUALLY it should unless your heart's absolutely bombing along so that it fires the odd "blank" that you can't feel)
isn't your wife medical? (I'm not 🙂 )
I don’t think it’s the HRM. I use it on the turbo and no spikes etc ....
I've only ever had it outside (and have had it several times, usually at the start of a ride when I've not produced any sweat and at least once WELL above what my heart's actually capable of). These days I put a dab of electrode gel on the contact bits of the strap afer a tip on here)