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Erratic HR Readings (inaccurate)

Denise
over 5 years ago

I have a stationary sitting elliptical and I use a custom Cardio setting for activity tracking. I basically want to monitor my heart rate while I am pedalling, which often works well. But sometimes the HR monitor just goes completely wonky. It will start to climb, I am usually around 115 (long, low intensity) and it will just start climbing up to 120, 125, 130, 135, all the way up to the 160s or even 170s, then it will stay there until I take the watch off a minute, then put it back on. Sometimes that doesnt do it though and will start climbing again. Taking my pulse manually shows it is NEVER accurate when it does this, as my pulse is in the 95-115 range. Sometimes it will self correct, other times I have to stop the activity and retry.

My arms aren't moving at all while pedalling, and I have tried both arms, and both arms have the problem. The sensor is clean and I clean it regularly.  First time it happened, I thought I was having a panic or heart attack until I checked my pulse manually. It is disconcerting, not to mention that it then affects all my stats: calorie count, and whatever else activity HR affects.

Anyone else have this problem? As I type this, my range has spiked from 110 to suddenly 167. I am at a loss. I haven't done moved my arm at all.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I am reviving this because I am at my wit's end with this tracker. I just did a very easy cardio walk, and the entire time it told me my HR hovered around 150, topping out at 162. It was NOWHERE near that, having tested manually with my fingers on my artery showing it around 100 bpm. 

    I am now credited with 20 minutes of super high intensity workout, 33 Intensity Minutes, and all of the metrics that are based on these things, including my PAI score - untrustworthy because they are based on a completely wrong HR. I am fed up. I tightened, loosened, moved, switched arms, nothing helps. And the minute I ended the activity tracking? HR showed 112 and falling to the true number. What on earth is that? Help!

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Denise

    In my experience, it's necessary to find a sweet spot on your arm as to where to wear your watch. Generally, the more it's positioned on a meaty part of your arm, the more likely it is to be accurate.

    When I first got into wrist-based tracking, my readings were a joke. However, after a few experiments.I found that wearing the watch higher on my arm than normal helped. Also, I would tighten the watch band one notch to limit erroneous light affecting the sensor.

    What I've also found is that, no matter what I did, HR results from a long bike ride where my wrists are usually bent on the handlebars are mostly useless. I always use a chest strap for biking.

  • 0 over 4 years ago
    1. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one having this problem. I did an 8 mile run the other day and my average heart rate was in the low 140s which is normal for me. Today I went out for a short 5k and it was reading in the 160s to 179s. It’s confusing because I have no problem with shortness of breath and I generally feel good when I’m running. I really like the watch otherwise.