Cardiac Rehab

[DanielJ]

I tried to log entries into exercise tracker and I find that some basic activities are available but not some that are normal for cardiac rehab.

Is it possible to add some exercise devices to the activity database?  Customize activities geared towards cardiac rehab.  Seems like this would be a good market to go after.

I am interested in adding AirDyne Bike that is geared to effort (levels) versus distance. Duration at a predetermined level. Level 1.0, 1.1, 1.2,..., level 2.0,2.1, 2.2, 2.3... ect.

Same for an Arm Bike? where it is effort measured using Duration and level of resistance. (RPM as Well)

There are step machines and bicycle devices as well.

Also Treadmill also needs to include elevation of the treadmill running platform... 0% , 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%,...etc.  Typically you can set the mph .

I think this would be very helful.  I am sure there are data stores for cardiac rehab available that could be used that are available at no cost.

[Ryoku]

Hi Daniel,

The way I see it, Fitbit specialices on tracking your heartrate no matter what excercise you're doing, hence it's focus doesn't lie on tracking the specifics of your workout. I encounter this kind of problems often, not with cardiac rehab excercises but with other types.

If you want to really keep track of your workout details, I would recommend and app such as Fitocracy, which specialices in tracking the actual workout details.

As for adding the excercises to the activity database. Each user can create his/her own activities in the activity log panel. They are not available for everyone once you create them but they remain available for you.

You're totally right, a better workout-detail tracking method and database would be awesome to have.

[PeterHicks]

Second excercise measurements for cardiac rehab ! The big issue with cardiac rehab is not to overdo exercises, to exercise regularly and to increase the activity slowly, but what is good for one person is not necesseraly good for another. Heart rate is a good measure for level of activity, individualised for the specific person. The big problem comes with beta-blockers that mask these responses and the presence of arrythmia, that make a total non sense of pulse rated exercise. Are there any references out there to help with the guidelines and do's and don'ts ?>

[Tinman53]

I agree that Beta Blockers are a problem.  I primarily walk for exercise following a 3X CABG, poor EF and ICD implantation.  Yesterday I did my initial 1.5 mile walk, got my HR up into my target HR Zone (based on Karvonen Forumula) then did some chores around the house.  Ended up in target HR zone for 83 minutes.

This morning I did the exact same walk and could only get into my target HR zone for 7 minutes of a 29 minute walk.  I swear some of my scripts are off on their dosage!?!?!?   

Do you ever see a spike in you HR when you first start out, then a decline to a more "normal" level?

[PeterHicks]

Not all beta blockers are the same and not all people respond to even the same beta blocker in the same way and you also have to take the reason for being on beta blockers in account.
The only way I can make sense of it is to compare my own data over a period of time and to look for a tendency.
I am taking beta blockers to suppress extra-systolies and to improve the inotropic and chonotropic action of my heart.
Thus I have to expect that my heart-rate do not have the same response to exercise than a normal person and neither is it predictable, but if your heart rate drop on average after a certain amount of exercise or if you can do more exercise in the same period of time, you are improving.
The main issue remain not to overdo your exercise, to exercise regularly and to gradually increase your exercise. After you have increased your activity level you can start thinking of burning calories to reduce fat and after that to develop cardio respiratory fitness and lastly to improve your body physique. Ideally you need the supervision of a cardiac rehabilitation instructor, unless you are prepared to die in an attempt to improve yourself.

[Pat_M]

I use my Fitbit Surge at my Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and I find it great. The staff also find it useful to them also because they are able to see what exercise I am doing on the days that I am not attending Cardiac Rehab. ( normally a 90 minute walk).It's also so great for the dietary section on the program because the dietitian is able to see at a glance my food intake and Calorie intake / output. I find that using the Surge is helping me a great deal with my Cardiac Rehabilitation Program because I am able to see my progress on the dashboard, which I find helps me personally a great deal.

[PeterHicks]

Nice to be getting that kind of support !
Doing one hour walking per day and on beta blockers for arrythmia my resting pulse is getting gradually faster and my maximum pulse on exercise is getting slower, so I guess I'm improving.

[Riverguy51]

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with your suggestions for cardiac rehab using Fitbit. (Wait...that is a groaner!) I a 66 year old male, with Type II diabetes, recently had two stents implanted, and am now working on a self-developed cardiac rehab program, under my cardiologists supervision, of course. My Charge 2 is essential to my progress.

How about some presets for walking, not just running, one for an an erg (I use a Concept 2 rower), and another for an Airdyne or similar machines?

[Riverguy51]

Wow, thanks!