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spike in heart rate

1851986 over 4 years ago

Hi, I am using a vivoactive 4 from Garmin. I use a wahoo tickr strap with it when I am out running. I seem to get a rapid increase at the start jumping up to about 160bpm then all of a sudden it will drop to what I call normal say 130-140, is this normal? A fight or flight response? It seems when not using the strap ie using the watch sensor it does not show so much, some sort of algorithm to smooth out errors? I did a treadmill run the other day without the strap and the watch was showing about 130 when the treadmill hand sensor was showing 165, after a while that dropped and the readings were similar.

Anyone else experience this?

0 ovekvam over 4 years ago

Yes. Before your sensors get sweaty enough, the heart rate signal can be weak, making the sensors pick up on your running cadence instead. It can happen with the wrist sensors as well.

0 1851986 over 4 years ago in reply to ovekvam

Probably does not explain the hand held sensors on the treadmill though?

0 ovekvam over 4 years ago in reply to 1851986

No, but they usually take a while to find the heart rate.

0 1851986 over 4 years ago

Anyone else experience this?

0 ovekvam over 4 years ago

There is a VERY similar question here:
forums.garmin.com/.../spike-in-heart-rate

0 jim_m_58 over 4 years ago

If it's like Garmin bands, you want to wet it down before you put it on. Otherwise it can take a bit before sweat builds up and the contact is better

0 1851986 over 4 years ago in reply to ovekvam

Absolutely correct, however still looking for an answer that makes sense. I actually wet the sensor before using ans the response does not explain the hand held device following the strap. The strap could have poor contact the hand held does not.