Charge 6 heart rate had a random spike

[nohilp1]

So I bought a Fitbit yesterday as I’ve started exercising and dieting and wanted to count my steps. Was wearing it all day, heart rate between all day. Was lying In bed reading, felt fine and relaxed. Then Fitbit buzzes, and heart rate is showing 115. I kept it on for about 10 mins afterwards, but ultimately had to take it off as I was worried about it spiking again. Checked the app this morning and the app is showing a spike of 102 (even though watch said 115) and then immediately went back down to 60s afterwards. For reference my heart rate was 110 after moderate exercise. Is this normal? I’ve been quite worried about it this morning, but I felt fine and had the watch not buzzed I’d have had no idea about the spike. I don’t think I’m going to use the heart rate monitor as it’s like to cause more anxiety in me about my heart rate. I used to suffer with anxiety and have had multiple ecgs in the past which have all come back normal so I wouldn’t take this to the doctors after one small random spike, just want some reassurance that it’s normal I suppose as it’s playing on my mind. But like I said I don’t think I’ll be using the heart rate monitor in future.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[RiekoC]

Hello & welcome @nohilp1 

This article explains how your Fitbit tracks your heart rate (<-- click link).

Based on your description, it seems like your device sent you a high heart rate notification. Apparently, your heart rate was elevated for more 10 minutes while you weren't moving around. Hopefully, this was a single event.

Did you tap on the notification in the Fitbit app and complete the survey? The survey should help gather more information about the incident. If the higher heart rate is due to you just finishing a workout, you should be able to include that information in the notification followup. Providing the information in the notification followup should help you and your healthcare provider decide if there's additional checking/testing/followup needed.

You might want to monitor how the Charge 6 is tracking your heart rate for about a week. If there are other "wonky" heart rate readings, it might be worth exchanging the device for another one.

[jmeade]

I have had the Charge 6 for about two weeks and this has happened to me twice--both times at night before bed while I was relaxing on the couch. The first time it said my heart rate was 209 for 2 minutes and then went back down to 72 and the second time, tonight, it said it was 163 for 4 minutes. It buzzed to let me know so I did a manual count of my pulse and it was somewhere between 75 to 78. So I think it's totally possible for the HR monitor to just randomly spike at times. That said, I think in general it gives pretty good readings +/- 5 bpm. I just wish I could delete these insane spikes that are completely unrealistic. I'm pretty sure it is physically impossible for my heart rate to drop 130 bpm in 2 minutes.

[Flickstock]

Totally agree. My spike was 212! Just sitting down. I am very fit and my hr is normally 59 when resting.

Like you  did a manual check and it was 60.

As a result I ditched the thing! However, I have just got it out of its box again to give it a second chance...we'll see,  but it does seem to be an issue with the Charge 6.

I use an equine monitor for my horse as well for hr and the only time it sometimes blips a random rate is if we have ridden under electricity cables. There is an overhead cable quite close to where I was sitting, so I was wondering?

Hope this helps

[JMichaelP]

Mine periodically spikes/jumps when walking. This is very concerning as I got the Fitbit to monitor my heart but I have no idea whether this was a device aberration or actually my heart! Of course when I see this, I stop all activity out of caution.

[RiekoC]

Hello @JMichaelP 

When you have the periodic spikes, see if a manual check confirms the high spikes. You can also use another device, like a pulse oximeter, to double check your heart rate. Pulse oximeters tend to be inexpensive and will also check heart rate. 

You can also run the ECG function on the Charge 6 to check your heart rate. 

If your alternative methods of checking your heart rate don't confirm the spikes, it might be best to contact Support (<-- click). Complete the prompts until you get the option to chat or call. Give them all the information, including your confirmation results. 

[Flickstock]

All those things already done. Thank you anyway.