How accurate is the heart rate on Apple watches? A few times a month my watch indicates that my heart rate is in the 30s or the upper 20s. I'm a runner so my heart is in good shape, but still that seems really low.
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Heart rate accuracy
- Thread starter Angelica Hill
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Apple_Robert
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Depending on what you are doing, age, watch placement and conditions, in the 30s could be accurate. In the 20s is not. I am a runner as well and my usual resting is 40 - 43 and during sleep I often dip to 35 - 39.
I have found the Apple Watch to be fairly accurate.
I have found the Apple Watch to be fairly accurate.
T'hain Esh Kelch
macrumors 604
For what it is worth; When I run on a treadmill, or use an exercise bike, with built in heart rate measurement that is triggered when you hold two metal pads, those and the Apple Watch are usually within 1-3 BPM of each other when I am in the ~150 BPM range. So I'd say it is pretty precise.
But if your heartrate is that low, my guess is your watch isn't fitted properly to your wrist, or the watch can't meassure properly. Alternatively, do you have any tattoos there, or anything else that might affect readings?
But if your heartrate is that low, my guess is your watch isn't fitted properly to your wrist, or the watch can't meassure properly. Alternatively, do you have any tattoos there, or anything else that might affect readings?
it's the velcro band so its fitted pretty snug No tattoos there. I feel great so I'm not going to worry too much about it. Perhaps
Apple_Robert
Contributor
I highly recommend the “Withings BPM Connect Wi-Fi Smart Blood Pressure Monitor” to use and compare with the Apple Watch. It is the most accurate I have seen and used.
Withings BPM Connect Wi-Fi Smart Blood Pressure Monitor
Withings BPM Connect Wi-Fi Smart blood pressure monitor delivers medically accurate blood pressure and heart rate measurement in your home. Buy online now at apple.com.
www.apple.com
I use some very good pulse oximeters and the measured heart rate is on par with the Apple Watch. Most times the Apple Watch is +-3 beats in the beginning and then it will be the same. My rhr is mid 40‘s-low 50‘s. 10 years ago I was a pro athlete. I‘m now 28y and do just a bit of mountain biking.
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Yes that is very low. I some times get an erroneus reading, mid 30s. Generally my rhr is low 50s (male/49/endurance sports enthusiast). Is the watch fastened tightly enough (but not too tight)?
A resting heart rate in the 20's is incredibly unlikely. Almost impossibly unlikely.
I'd cross-check it against another device or do a manual check if it's during the day. My Garmin sometimes throws scary numbers at me, and even when I know it's the watch, it's still scary. I also had mild hypothyroidism and a little bit of meds got me out of the low 40's.
Getting a Wahoo forearm strap completely normalized my heart rate when working out. No more spiky crap with heart rate jumping to 180 for this guy in his 50's.
If your insurance is good, and another device confirms it, I'd probably go get checked just to put my worrying-mind at rest. Doctors, depending on where you are, are really easy to get to these days. I had several medical issues this year, no worse for wear, just no fun. And they're a lot more open to remote doctoring, finally.
It is the best among pulse watches, however there are things like tatoos which can interfere.
I am not sure where you check your heart rate, but upper 20s is outside the optical sensors work range of 30 - 210 bpm. Holding the crown in pulse app to activate the electrical heart sensor on s4/s5 can likely go below 30 bpm.
Monitor your heart rate with Apple Watch - Apple Support
Learn how Apple Watch measures your heart rate.