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vivosmart5 very low HR

Don B.
2 months ago

A week ago, I noticed my HR was oddly reading 39-41 bpm all day.  I waited long enough for it to subside and then I went to Urgent Care.  Urgent Care immediately told me to go to ER.  ER monitored my HR, Pulse, SP02, EKG and BP for 5 hours.  I showed them a video I took of my Garmin while waiting at the ER showing.41 bpm.  The ER Doctor showed me on their monitor the correct reading which was 89 bpm.

Doctor concluded that my Garmin exhibited incorrect readings.  He said I was experiencing PVCs, and the Garmin could not detect accurately then. I wear my Garmin 24/7 and have not had low pulse alerts until after the last firmware update.  Yesterday, I got an alert of 42 bpm.  Funny thing is, I was not even wearing the device then. I had just taken it off to take a shower.  The worst part is a got a $5,200 ER bill due to my Garmin.

Has anyone else experienced any similar experience(s)?

  • 0 2 months ago

    A wrist based watch is never going to replace medical equipment. I have an irregular HR with some PVCx, I ignore the watch usually. Twice a year I have a Holter Moniter on for 24 hrs so the Dr can note any changes. Watches are not meant for this kind of problem, and if they were they would be too expensive for us to own.

  • 0 4 days ago in reply to 4411990

    I swapped my VS5 for a Fitbit, but didn't check the VS5 for heartbeat accuracy.  I never got a low warning myself, but you can check the watch quite easily, if you want.

    Fingertip pulse/SPO2 meters are pretty cheap and I bought on certified by the NHS.  I recently checked my pulse with it and compared it to the FB and it always seems to be with 1bpm, so that's fine.

    Also if you have a BP meter, these will often tell you your pulse too.  Mine is an Omron device which is recommended by the British Heart Foundation.  Here in the UK, most pharmacists have a BP meter, so you can check the accuracy of your watch there.  I wonder if you've got the watch fitted right?  Maybe try the strap tighter/looser/ clean the contacts?

    Best of luck with it.