Erratic heart rate readings

[sidefx]

Last night I did my first workout with my apple watch. It was a DailyBurn which would be similar to a P90X style workout. Looking at the data in the Health app my HR there are some moments where the data would stay in the 150-106's then drop back down to the 40-60's. I keep the watch snug on my wrist but did notice during some of the punching parts the green glow of the sensor was visible. Am I not wearing my watch tight enough or does movements prevent an accurate reading?

 

[Julien]

Weight training constricts tissue and limits the ability of blood flow which will give inaccurate HR reading from an optical based HR monitor. You will need to use a BT strap if you want accurate HR readings.

Also HR info while fun to have, is of little practical use in anaerobic training.

 

[Newtons Apple]

My AW has exhibited this even when just walking or running. Not matter how tight, loose or arm location I have seen this at times. Really disappointing when you are running like crazy and see your HR at 68bpm

 

[PaladinGuy]

I'm thinking about getting a Bluetooth HRM chest strap to pair with the watch during exercise. I usually use interval training methods, and I need less of a lag with the measurements for it to be useful.

 

[BlueMoon63]

Based on many, you are right to get a chest strap. I never have a problem when walking or running. Maybe losing the pulse once or twice and hour. The most difficult for me is golfing in the heat as it wants to slide down my wrist. Canvas bands might help but he sports just slide.

I'm a big weight lifter and I lose the pulse about 2-3 times per hour. My heart straps had a tendency to spike to 200bpm for now reason and I was always adjusting the tightness.

I feel lucky compared to others. I know Newton has struggled and I feel for him. :-(

 

[sidefx]

Before purchasing all I heard was how accurate the heart rate reading was during jogging/running exercises. Maybe that is due to less arm involvement.

 

[PaladinGuy]

I know what my heart rate should be at differed points in a run (for the most part). It is very accurate when it registers the HR. The issue is if you quickly change your pace. It takes a good bit of time to catch up. I usually do interval running for a mix of steady and intense exercise. I'm not really a long distance runner.

 

[Mac2me]

Here's a different perspective I've noticed. While just relaxed normal body movement or at rest, sometime I've gotten a reading of 44bpm. I think I've noticed this happens occasionally when I touch the Heart app in Glances To trigger a reading. The next recording will be 88bpm, so doubled. I've noticed this pattern has happened this way on numerous occasions over what a year or so of wearing the watch.

I'm guessing the sensor to check the rate gets activated mid-cycle but that's just a guess. It's such a low number that it doesn't make sense. I'm laying down now on the bed and raised my wrist to do the check (holding arm steady) in Glances and this time it came up 42bpm then next reading was 88bpm. When I've looked back at my Show All Data individual dates, the very low rate and the next "normal" rate occur at the same time mark. So I just think it's interrupted when it gets triggered to provide a measurement. I never see consecutive recordings at these low marks.

 

[Tom G.]

For those who are getting, or already using, a chest strap style heart rate monitor with your Apple Watch could you tell me what app you are using to see the heart right on the watch.

 

[PaladinGuy]

You can use any app that supports the Apple Watch heart rate sensor, I believe. I'm most likely going to buy a Wahoo Tickr soon and use it with either run keeper or the Apple exercise app.

 

[aawil]

Here's a different perspective I've noticed. While just relaxed normal body movement or at rest, sometime I've gotten a reading of 44bpm. I think I've noticed this happens occasionally when I touch the Heart app in Glances To trigger a reading. The next recording will be 88bpm, so doubled. I've noticed this pattern has happened this way on numerous occasions over what a year or so of wearing the watch.

This happens to me fairly frequently, glad to see it's not just me I guess it's not unusual