Something Seems Off With my Smartwatch Heart rate Readings

[GuyDora]

I was given an IPhone Smart Watch for Christmas, but just started using it, the past couple of months. My question is with the accuracy of the heart rate readings. I usually wait at least 1 & 1/2 hours, after taking my Cartia, before I start a brisk 35-60 min. walk. Sometimes, my heart rate will register a very high spike, at the start of my exercise, going from 64 to anywhere between 115-177, for a second and then right back to normal. I feel absolutely no symptoms and continue with my brisk walk, at 2,5-3.5 mph. Has anyone else had an issue with this? I intend to bring it up to my Cardiologist, at the next appt. My husband gets episodes of SVT, but they usually last for a couple of minutes, and he is very symptomatic. The only time I have had SVT, in the past, was alongside my first couple of AFib episodes. Can it just jump up so high, for such a brief moment, or is it the watch having a glitch? I’m ready to stop using it. I don’t need anxiety. That can trigger irregular heartbeats, for me.

[CDreamer]

Yes I have had sudden spikes in HR readings with Apple Watch. I ignore them because the value of the readings from iWatch are of looking at patterns over time. Focus on averages eg: average walking HR, average resting HR and ignore the sudden dips or spikes because they are more likely to be loss of good contact or interference. I’ve only had very rare happenings so it goes without saying that if that happens to you every day, you may want to bring them to the attention of your cardiologist.

[GuyDora in reply to CDreamer]

It’s been happening at least once a week and always at the beginning of my brisk walk. I am going to mention it, when I see the Cardiologist, in a few weeks.

[beach_bum in reply to GuyDora]

Don’t forget to update your watch to version 9 . Improved and expanded cardio and medical features.

apple.com/ca/ios/health/

[GuyDora in reply to beach_bum]

I will check into that. Thanks.

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to beach_bum]

I am on 8.7 but to update it isn’t letting me. I think because I havn’t update my phone OS to 16 yet. Hmm I guess I better to that

[Purpletara]

hi, would be interested to hear if anyone else replies.

I am having the same results as you with my Apple Watch- very high spike of heart rate at start of a brisk walk and, like you, am considering leaving the watch off because I’m constantly looking at heart rate whilst walking and it’s causing me anxiety.

My normal walking rate at the moment is 82 bpm (I’m recovering from covid) and I’m getting a sudden spike of anywhere between 125 and 170.

Am going to give it another week and, if it continues see someone.

[Threecats]

Hi

I also have an Apple Watch and get random heart rate spikes, up to 190 sometimes but they are exactly that, random. I don’t feel anything going on with my heart so I assume, as CDreamer says, it’s interference or loss of contact or something. In fact it happened once when I accidentally jolted the watch. However, the fact that it happens consistently for you when you start your exercise is worth mentioning to your cardiologist, I think.

[GuyDora in reply to Threecats]

I plan on mentioning it, when I see my Cardiologist, next month.

[Gumbie_Cat]

My Apple Watch also does that at the start of ‘Outdoor Walk’ - quite frequently. I think it’s just a glitch. Often these odd readings seem to be double what they should be.

[Ppiman]

I really wouldn't worry. I have read that this is a quirk of the watch occasionally to read double (or half) the actual value. It is, I gather, to be ignored. The way the Apple Watch works wouldn't allow it to detect a one second change of rate. I find that the watch needs to be reasonably, but comfortably, tight on the wrist and for the skin to be dry, The ECG monitor on the watch never does this and is always 100% accurate and consistent, again if the wrist isn't too sweaty.

Here's a screen shot from my Apple iPhone to show this:

Steve

Screenshot of Apple Watch hear rate graph

[GuyDora in reply to Ppiman]

Yes, this is what the random spike looks like, more-or-less. Thank you for posting. It helps to realize others are experiencing the same, without any symptoms and could very well be a glitch.

[Maglynne007]

Yes. Been wearing mine since 2020 and this has happened to me quite frequently. It also happens, but less frequently whilst I’m asleep. My average bpm whilst sleeping is usually around 47bpm but has shown spikes of over 100bpm. Keep wearing it. I love mine.

[GuyDora in reply to Maglynne007]

I try to close my activity circles, every day, and monitor my steps. It makes me feel proactive with my heart health. The spikes just gave me a bit of a jolt, but, I will keep wearing it, now. Thanks.

[ETHEL103]

I have an amazfit watch which does exactly the same thing.Like yourself i dont feel it so just ignore it now and look at the averages.

[Visigoth]

I have random spikes too and just ignore them as I’m sure it’s a glitch of the watch. I know I would feel it if my HR really went up that high! I’ve had it showing up to 190. Maybe it’s a jolt when doing some activity

[javo123j]

I'm a runner and the smart watch does exactly the same thing when I run. If i use a more accurate chest monitor it shows it is sometimes out by 50 beats per minute. I'd ignore it

[frazeej]

I have a FitbitSense watch which similarly measures heart rate, and I also will get sudden spikes to ~125 for no apparent reason-and no apparent symptoms. I attribute this to a sudden movement of my left hand, maybe to scratch an itch or wave to someone. For reassurance, I immediately manually feel my pulse in my right wrist, and it is always as normal and regular as can be. Look at the Fitbit again, and it's normal. I've found it's nothing to freak out about. AND, lesson learned-manual pulse is always more accurate!!

[GuyDora]

I want to thank all that responded, as it has greatly put my mind at ease. I will just keep doing what I’m doing, and mention it to the Cardiologist. Staying calm and not getting panicked about things I am not sure of, is important to keep episodes at bay. It’s helpful to have a forum to be able to discuss such topics.

[MrJD]

Since my AF occurred, during the period with AF and subsequent sinus rhythm post Cardioversion my Apple Watch is now frustrating me. Particularly as it informed me initially of the AF.

My cardio fitness (VO2) has significantly dropped even though pace/distance/time the same. I’m in sinus

My HRV has significantly dropped according also to an app I use re recovery and it is stubbornly low.

I get focussed on the tech and probably overthink but the HRV is useful imho for recovering post CV

Long and short I tend to use my Apple Watch as an adjunct, making sure whilst recovering post CV my HR doesn’t go to high for so long

As Javo123j points out, I don’t think they (watches) are as accurate as chest straps

[GuyDora in reply to MrJD]

My watch was able to coincide an episode of vagal irritability that resulted in a 3 hour period of irregular heartbeats (not Afib) with very, high HRV numbers, so I know it may also predict possible AFib. I guess I put too much stock in a 100% accuracy of heart rate, and now realize glitches can happen, especially at the start of my workouts. It is a tool for me to count my steps and try to keep my V02 in healthy levels.

[Speed]

Hi GuyDora. It does sound from the replies that with the Apple watch and maybe other wrist worn HR monitors that there can be short periods of erroneous readings on initiating exercise. My caveat though is from personal experiences using GARMIN devices. A colleague has recently had short (several minutes) periods of consistent high HR that the GP put down to SVT and not of immediate concern and indeed these have now ceased. For myself, I regularly exercise both running and cycling and use a Garmin with a CHEST STRAP. These are generally accepted to be more accurate than the wrist sensors, they work from electrical pulses rather than monitoring blood flow. For 6 months prior to being diagnosed with AFl I found on many rides, my HR would spike (180-200) for several minutes pretty soon after starting from rest before settling down to a steady 140. My GP dismissed it as of no concern but due to its consistency and timing just before the onset of definite heart arrhythmia symptoms (in hindsight) and subsequent diagnosis months later whilst in A&E for a totally unrelated issue, I strongly suspect it was not unrelated and May have been a precursor/ waring sign. Again, I must emphasise that this was from a chest strap monitor and the high HR was consistent and lasted several minutes before settling down to a normal and consistent rate. Would be very interested if any other active sports persons (cycling / running) experienced similar,

Thx

[GuyDora in reply to Speed]

This is why I am talking to the Cardiologist about it, because you never know. Thank you for the input.

[Ducky2003]

Ive had similar with my Fitbit Versa 2. Have been sitting quietly and its registered 136bpm but I would certainly have known about it if it was doing that.