HRM causing chest ache

gbrownzen

Strange one this, I bought a Garmin 500 Bundle to fit to my new Domane 5.9 about a month ago and found after a few rides that my chest was aching, particularly on the left side. I had my stem flipped to give a more upright position while I got used to the new bike, and rode without the HRM for a week or so, and the ache eased off. Thinking it couldn't possibly be the HRM I tried it again, after slackening off the strap as much as I could. However, the next day my chest ached noticeably again. I've now left the HRM in the cupboard for a few weeks, and even though I have done 30 mile runs I have no noticeable aches, so I guess it is the Garmin Premium soft strap and/or HRM that are causing the ache. Has anyone else experienced this?

I've ordered a Polar soft strap to try, to see if it is something to do with the material. When it arrives I'll give the HRM another go. I was also using a conductive gel to make the HRM work properly, so I guess I'll try without that for a while.

When I was wearing the HRM it gave quite a high Heart Rate but not extraordinary. I am 51 yrs old and it was peaking at 181 and averaging over 150 for the entire ride. This is a bit higher than I would have expected, but I gather it is nothing to be worried about. I even checked the accuracy against my exercise bike HRM and it seemed spot on, but on the exercise bike I struggled to get above 160 and on a real cycle ride 177 or more was quite easy to hit.

I did wonder if the accuracy degraded at high rates?

Anyway, I'm very pleased that it is not the new bike, as I'm training up for a 54 mile charity run in May.

Thanks,

Geoff

andi1363

I guess you are breathing with your chest instead of your diaphragm.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/98162 ... -benefits/

http://www.cptips.com/respmus.htm

gbrownzen

andi1363 wrote:

I guess you are breathing with your chest instead of your diaphragm.

You may well be right, especially when panting my way up hills!

So I guess if the strap was very elastic it may resist the chest movement and cause fatigue? The Polar strap may be better?

I'll try and think about how I am breathing next time I go out.

Thanks,

Geoff

ugo.santalucia

Take it off, what you need the thing for?

dhobiwallah

Ref the high heart rates - polar soft straps need to be washed properly; I thing polar recommend the washing machine every few uses. I think the salt/sweaty gunk interferes with the conductivity or something. Mine started to give unusual readings and I rinsed them after each ride (like I used to with my older solid ones) - but after giving them a good old lather with liquid soap they started behaving again.

Regarding the pain/ache. Seems odd - but if it is the only variable then it would suggest the strap is the cause. But if you have loosened it right off I can't see how it would cause a problem. I suppose you could try it v.v.loose under a compression base layer - then do a control ride with just the base layer to see.

Or you could try something like this http://www.adidas.co.uk/Men's-TECHFIT-miCoach-Short-Sleeve-Tee/Z22238_290,en_GB,pd.html?cm_mmc=AdieFeeds_GPS-_-Men_Clothing-_-adidas_Mens_TECHFIT_miCoach_ShortSleeve_Tee-_-QW717_Z22238&cm_mmca1=UK
I have a few of the adidas micoach vests which I use with the 'pod' from a polar HRM strap which work fine...

bianchimoon

Unless you're 110% certain it is the strap, go to your doctor, don't waste time on an internet forum.

gbrownzen

bianchimoon wrote:

Unless you're 110% certain it is the strap, go to your doctor, don't waste time on an internet forum.

Pretty sure it is the strap, when I stopped wearing it the ache soon went. When I tried it once more I really ached the very next day, so went back to leaving it off and it's gone again.

Thanks,

Geoff

danlikesbikes

gbrownzen wrote:

bianchimoon wrote:

Unless you're 110% certain it is the strap, go to your doctor, don't waste time on an internet forum.

Pretty sure it is the strap, when I stopped wearing it the ache soon went. When I tried it once more I really ached the very next day, so went back to leaving it off and it's gone again.

Thanks,

Geoff

I think what he meant was its good that taking the strap off has removed the pain. However your making a big jump from removing the strap & the pain going to it must therefore be the strap that is causing you pain.

Personally if it were me I would get myself to the GP just in case as I find it hard to believe that a HRM strap (have both the Garmin & Polar) would cause you pain in anyway.

As you seem so intent on putting the blame on the strap & listening to other BR members (no offence guys & girls) if you type in "pain from wearing a HRM strap" into Google you don't get any results in the top 2 pages from people with similar issues. On page 3 there is a woman who does get bruising from wearing the strap under her bra but thats about it.

I'm no doctor & I'm no hypochondriac either but if you have done the sensible things & worked through the options;
1) to tight
2) properly cleaned
3) wearing it the nice and flat
4) the adjustment catch is not where the pain is
4) no visible bruising
5) no reddening of the skin afterwards
6) not wearing over skin that would irritate e.g. rash, calcium build up after a broken bone, scar tissue etc

As all of these can & probably have caused issues once for most users once or twice then you might want to consider the issue is with your body and get it checked out.

bianchimoon

agreed, there's a big difference between 'skin' pain and chest pain. Asking for advice on a forum is akin to homepathy or faith healing. You only get one shot at this... get the right advice!