Heart Rate Accuracy on Charge HR

[Esoj]

I looked at my charge hr and it was at 196bpm. I checked the aggregate data and my highest recorded heart rate was 165. I checked again a little while later and it reflects 125bpm as the highest recorded for the day. Why the deviations? Please advise.

Moderator Edit: Updated Subject for Clarity

[MarreFitbit]

It's nice to see you in the Community @Esoj, welcome! Heart rate reading varies depending on several factors like movement, temperature, humidity, stress level, physical body position, caffeine intake, and medication. If you haven't already done so, please review our information and tips for heart rate accuracy by going here.

Though we've found that PurePulse provides better overall heart rate tracking than cardio machines or chest straps since it tracks your heart rate day and night, wrist placement during certain vigorous exercise is important. Review the information on optimal wear closely and make sure you follow the recommendations.

Have a good one! 

[Esoj]

Thanks for the response. I don't believe there are inaccuracies due to my
wrist placement as I placed the band higher on my arm throughout the
workout, and according to both my samsung heart monitor and fitbit, my
heart rate was at 196, yet the dashboard indicated my peak at 125. Please
advise further.

[MarreFitbit · Accepted solution]

Thanks for getting back @Esoj ! Please try restarting your Charge HR by following these steps:

1. Plug your charging cable into the USB port and insert the other end into the port on the back of your Charge HR. Your tracker will begin charging. 
2. Press and hold the button for 10 to 12 seconds until you see the Fitbit icon and a version number (e.g. "V122"). 
3. Let go of the button. 
4. Unplug your tracker from the charging cable. 

If after doing this, your HR is still inaccurate I'd suggest to get in touch with Customer Support directly. They will do a deeper investigation and see where the issue is coming from. 

Have a good one! 

[PatriceLBC]

Hi-

 Do you have these same instructions for the Charge 2? I'm having a similar issue. I had the Charge HR and feel that had a better heartrate tracker than the Charge 2. 

thanks!

[Zachie10]

Because of my age, 68, I am interested in having an accurate heartrate reading.  While on the elliptical my heartrate shows around 141 or more when working hard.  My Fitbit dashboard only shows a reading of around 121!  What's up?

[JLPGalceran]

I've a Charge 2 since November_1917. I like it but I'm in doubt about its measure at least at beginning of exercise. Always! For instance, I start to walk and the first minutes the beats are behind the limites! In my medical check outs it doesn't happen. If I stop walking or even take the device off, it continues to register high values. I compare with others HR devices and the result are diferent. After some time exercising, it becomes normal. Thanks in advance for any clarify!

[knitnnan]

This appears to have resolved my iissue with the Charge 2 and accurate heart rate.  instead of "vxxx",  my fitbit gave me numbers like "xx.xx.xx"

[Dianet818]

I brought my charge2 yesterday. It has the same issue. But when I follow your suggested steps, the screen just turn black after a few seconds and didn’t show anything even after 30seconds. Please help. Thanks.

It finally show some numbers after I’ve tried for the third time. The heart rate shown did drops a bit. Will observe for some time to see if the issue is fixed or not. Thanks.

Moderator Edit: Merged user's posts

[SantiR]

@Dianet818 @knitnnan Welcome to the Fitbit Community! Thanks for sharing the experience you have had with your heart rate readings.

I'm glad to read that it is now showing readings more accurate now. I'm also glad to read that you were able to find help on this thread. 

Additionally, you can check if you are using the correct wrist placement which is shown on this helpful article.

Please let me know if this happens again. Keep me posted! 

[TheTank67]

@MarreFitbit, I just bought a Versa last week and during my cardio interval workout today, my heart rate measured a max of 208 bpm...and that was only 4 minutes in to the work out.  We were doing skaters with burpees so I was wondering if all that movement (and swinging of arms) could affect the accuracy and cause it to read too high??  It shows my resting rate to be just under 60 which is pretty accurate but I can't imagine the 208 was right.  Any thoughts or should I go see my cardiologist? haha