Apparatus and methods are described herein for positioning an epicardial anchor device and measuring the load of a tether extending from a prosthetic heart valve and coupled to the epicardial anchor device. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a handle assembly coupled to an elongate member and a docking member coupled to a distal end of the elongate member. The docking member can be releasably coupled to an epicardial anchor device configured to secure a tether extending from a prosthetic heart valve implanted with a heart at a location on an exterior of a ventricular wall of the heart. A force sensor device is coupled to the handle assembly and can measure a force exerted on the force sensor device. The force is associated with a tension of the tether extending through the elongate member and handle assembly.
