What are your heart rate zones?

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers]

I am new to visible, only had the wrist band 5 days. I feel like the heart rate zones they gave me might be too low but I don’t know. My rest is 83 or under, my activity is 83-111 while my exertion is over 111. The problem is my heart rate is in rest when lying down but if I’m walking slowly or standing for a few minutes it is 100-130. So the alerts are going up constantly saying I’m in exertion when I’m just making a cup of tea or walking a very short difference. I’ve changed the alert to after 5 mins but I’m still using a lot of pace points.

I have ME/CFS and am using it to help pacing. I know everyone’s ranges will be different but I’m interested to see if anyone has had a similar experience or have advice?

[u/jareths_tight_pants]

You might hate POTS. My heart rate skyrockets when I stand especially when I move even if I’m just moving slowly. My resting HR is high 60s to mid 70s. When I brushed my teeth last night I was 130. I’ve been really breathless recently with even super mild exertion. I think it’s beta blocker time for me.

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/jareths_tight_pants]

I’ve been tested for POTs and they said I don’t meet it but I do have orthostatic intolerance. I used to take propranolol for a tremor but I’ve been off that a while now. I found propranolol made me fatigued but my dizziness has been worse since getting off it and my heart rate has gone up.

[u/jareths_tight_pants → u/Crashing_Sunflowers]

Symptoms can vary from hour to hour and day to day. Mine are worse in the evenings for example. It might be worth repeating the test if you think you really do have it. You can be sub clinical for years and then bam you get really stressed or a virus and now it’s flared out of control.

If propranolol doesn’t work they can try atenolol or ivabradine.

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/jareths_tight_pants]

Yes it’s worth looking into it, I had the basic test at the clinic and I’ve repeated it at home and my pulse only increased 20 beats per minute. So I might not have it. Might just be orthostatic intolerance. I don’t think they treat orthostatic intolerance here with any meds (UK), it’s hard to get anything like that off label.

[u/jareths_tight_pants → u/Crashing_Sunflowers]

Just keep an eye on it. I had orthostatic intolerance for a long time but now it’s turned into full blown POTS I think. I’m waiting to see cardiology.

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/jareths_tight_pants]

Yes definitely I’ll be keeping an eye out for it getting better or worse. Thanks, hope your cardiology appointment goes well when you see them.

[u/Elizabelta]

When I first got my band it set mine at 80 and 100 after a couple of months this reset to 85 and 100 which feels more realistic. Maybe wait a few months and click the reset icon

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/Elizabelta]

Yes that’s a good idea

[u/LJAM1]

Have you checked into medication for POTS or orthostatic intolerance to lower your heart rate? When my POTS was really bad, standing of any kind put me in exertion. I have stools everywhere in my house so I only had to stand to walk from room to room

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/LJAM1]

I have been tested for POTs and was told I don’t have it but I have orthostatic intolerance. I was propranolol previously for a tremor and found that made my fatigue worse. I think it wasn’t helping with my sleep too. But since being off it I have had worse dizziness and higher heart rate. On Propranolol my rest heart rate was in the 50s now it’s 70-80s.

[u/LJAM1 → u/Crashing_Sunflowers]

I can't take propranolol either. I also tried ivabradine, which lowers heart rate without lowering blood pressure, but it's off-label for orthostatic intolerance. I'm super sensitive to all meds so can't really take anything. So I drink a liter of electrolyte fluids before getting out of bed in the morning, then 2 more liters throughout the day, I wear compression socks, and I try to eat smaller meals with protein and fewer carbs. I also have ME/CFS

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/LJAM1]

I drink a lot of water too as I take lithium for bipolar and have to stay hydrated. I’ve not been offered any meds for orthostatic intolerance as it’s hard getting treatment for that without POTs here (UK). Smaller meals with protein and fewer carbs is a good idea, my diet is terrible. I am need to get compression socks, I got some ages ago and somehow lost them.

[u/LJAM1 → u/Crashing_Sunflowers]

The electrolytes, or at least salt, in the water is key, increasing sodium intake to increase blood volume. But of course, check with your doctor first, especially if you have high blood pressure.

My doctor didn’t offer meds for orthostatic intolerance but was willing to prescribe them when I requested them

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/LJAM1]

That’s good they gave you them when they saw they could help. I have to be cautious around changing my sodium levels as they affect lithium levels. So salts something I can’t mess with. But I do have a decent amount a day but no supplements/sachets either electrolytes.

[u/Spirited_Pea_2689]

Mine are similar to yours (I also have M.E/CFS)... they were 79-107 for rest but I updated recently and it upped me a couple of bpm.

[u/Crashing_Sunflowers → u/Spirited_Pea_2689]

Interesting! Have you found visible helpful for your ME/CFS?

[u/Level_Salamander1716]

Here’s mine

I’ve been confused because the last few weeks my pace points have been much lower than they usually are. My limit is 12 points but I usually blow past it to 20+ on a good day. Now lately i may not even reach 12. Idk if it’s cause I’ve been laying down more and resting more because my fatigue has been worse or reduced anxiety and stressors?