heart rate very high and low while exercising

[missy911]

My heart rate varies from a steady 120 to 140 up to 180 in a second and also quickly drops to 34  and then the monitor will not register for a few minutes until it goes back up to normal.  Approximately 5 years ago I wore a monitor and took a stress test but just a minor drop in heart rate showed up.  I don't think the stress test is at the intensity that I exercise.  The variable heart rate happens on various equipment.  It does not happen every time I exercise.

[Wisconsin2007]

I'm thinking equipment, too.  If there's no chest strap, it's either a tethered wrist strap or the hand sensor things, all of which I've found pretty unreliable.

Even with a chest strap I've found occasional odd readings.  

[Lewyn]

I agree with Jerry.  This sounds like equipment issues.  Have you ever jumped off the machine when this happens and check your rate with your fingers?

[missy911]

Yes, while working at a constant level my heart rate drops.  Most exercise heart rate monitors go blank as the heart rate goes below 60.  Then a few minutes later it starts recording at about 110 to 125.  Other times it jumps up to 180 and then back down.  It has been happening on numerous machines for several years.  No chest strap on.

[Jerry_NJ]

Are you saying while working at a constant/level exercise aerobic level your HR will drop from 180 to 34?  This sounds like equipment failure to me.  

I did read that you get these strange readings on different equipment, but are you using the same transmitter?  For example, my Polar wrist monitor with a chest strap will also drive the HR on some tread mills and other equipment, so if the chest strap/transmitter is producing errors, those errors will be displayed on all compatible equipment.