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Heart rate inaccuracies while running

Former Member
Former Member over 5 years ago

I recently purchased a vivoactive 3 on the weekend. Prior to this I had a Fitbit Ionic. 

I ran the same course I normally would this morning and my vivoactive watch showed my heart rate around 140bpm while running. When I was in my 2 min walk cool down my heart rate then jumped to around 160bpm. 

I know from my previous watch that when I am pushing it and struggling to breath my heart rate is normally 160-170 (running hard not steady) so today’s reading are well off.

This is the third time i have noticed this since Saturday. One other time I was doing an incline walk on treadmill, watch told me I was about 100bpm, held onto machine it told me 140bpm, and normally ok Fitbit it would be about 130 (depending on the day).  

How do I confirm if the watch itself is faulty? Or whether it’s something I have done in the set up? 

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago

    It's just how some optical heart rate monitors are. I would make sure the watch is pretty tight. It took several activities to get my Instinct to pick up the correct rate. Sweat, watch location, oil, tightness all can impact accuracy. I use a chest strap when I want accurate ratings. Polar H10 works like a champ. 

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Yeah just not use to this level of significant difference, 5-10 bpm off is fine, 20+ isn’t. 

    I am using one of the Garmin training plans. It’s going to think I am fitter than I am.

    the other time I noticed a significant difference was resting between a set of squats. Watch showed 54 (which is pretty much my resting heart rate), fingers on throat counted 100bpm.

    i have it tight on wrist, it doesn’t move around when I do. What is the next thing for me to check? When you refer to sweat and oil, did you find it worked better if sweaty? Do I need to wet wrist before running?

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    The difference is that it's not getting a good connection to your skin. When mine is not reading correctly it can be off by 50bpm until I adjust it correctly. It's a pain. 

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    How do I contact them directly. I have already tried the fixes. You can see the indent in my arm from me wearing it tight already. 

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    It's different for each person. You may need to move it more forward on your wrist, more tight, less tight, etc. It has to be the right combination of all. It's frustrating trust me. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Hello Rocko

    do you use the Polar sensor with the Garmin watch? Is it possible to connect them? 

    Thanks, Michael

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to 7907303

    Yes, the H10. Works great.