Heart Rate Monitor

Heart Rate measures the number of heart beats per minute (unit time), typically expressed as beats per minute (bpm). A heart rate monitor is an electrical device which detects the voltage discharges of the heart throughout the body by placing electrodes in contact with the skin, known as ECG. Heart rate monitors (HRMs) are used by medical professionals to diagnose physiological abnormalities and to track medical conditions, and for individual use by athletes to observe his or her heart rates to obtain maximum productivity thereof. But, ECG monitors used by medical health professionals are much more advanced than what athletes use. Heart rate monitor comparisons of hospital with personal use indicate the precision and complexity of ECG monitors used in hospitals. But, these ECG monitors, primarily, measure heart rhythms along with the heart rate of an individual, as opposed to individual use HRMs, which only measure the heart rate of the individual. Heart rate monitor comparisons for personal use include the chest strap transmitter with wristwatch, strapless monitors which require skin contact with 2 sensors on a wristwatch display for a few seconds. Heart rate monitor comparisons of the chest wrap and strapless devices demonstrate a higher percentage of accuracy with the use of chest wrap devices. A chest wrap HRM for women is incorporated into trainer bras, which contain fabric heart rate sensors. Heart rate monitor comparisons of early strapless HRM devices are reported to display inaccurate results when the user's hands contain moisture or are cold. Measurement of Training Heart Rate (THR) is the primary purpose of personal a HRM. THR indicates if the heart rate has achieved a desired range, calculated by the following formula: THR is calculated as 75% (+/- 5%) intensity of an individual's maximum heart rate. Maximum Heart Rate = 220 - Age (Below example is for a 40 year old) 75% intensity: (220 " 40) * 0.75 ’! 135 bpm (+/- 9bpm) In theory when one's heart rate is kept around 75% intensity, then the heart and lungs obtain maximum efficiency from the workout. When studying heart rate monitor comparisons from nearly a decade ago, it can be noted that strapless HRMs offered, mostly, the basic feature of measuring the heart rate. Recent advances in technology have allowed for a wide range of utilities to be included in HRMs for heart rate monitor comparisons. Latest heart rate monitor comparisons show features like GPS/foot sensor (measure distance of run/cycling), THR zone monitors and virtual trainers (program HRM to alert when THR is achieved, and receive instructions on maintaining for a period of time), and measurement of calories burnt; and all of these feature-included HRMs are greatly useful to athletes training for triathlons, and similar sports. HRMs may be purchased from as low as $75, and one can view heart rate monitor comparisons on internet sites for more details.