Charge 2 doesn't record sleep scores

[Mikeah]

I have used a Fitbit Charge 2 for many years now since it was first introduced to the market. In all the years I have NEVER had a heart rate score. My unit gives me heart rate all day and night . It records my resting heart rate but NEVER gives a heartrate score BUT always says "the tracker couldn't get a consistent heart rate reading while I slept". If my wife wears my fitbit at night she gets a heart rate score. I have concluded if you have Atrial Fibrillation (AF) you will never get a heart rate score with a fitbit. Fitbit has never admitted this BUT has never given me an explanation as to WHY(?) I don't get a heart rate score other than the usual standard reasons they advertise. I am wondering if any other users have this problem AND if it is a problem WHY fitbit does not include it in a warning before we buy the product?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[LZeeW]

@Mikeah   You say that you bought your Charge 2 when it was new, in 2016.  This is on your profile.  The Sleep Score was introduced in 2019.  I'm not sure how you could have been warned about a feature that didn't exist when you bought your Fitbit.

[Mikeah]

I said I've  had a charge 2 since they came on the market. I also said I've never had a  sleep score. You do get sleep scores on Charge 2's you know. I am saying even today you don't see a warning on any Charge watch that if you have AF you may not get a sleep score. And fitbit has never given me a believable explanation (other than the standard explanations)as to why I don't get a sleep score. Nothing to do with the year I bought the watch or the year sleep scores were introduced. Sent from my Galaxy

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[LZeeW]

@Mikeah   I responded to your post based on what you wrote in your initial post.  Not the other ideas in your mind or your other posts on this topic.  I reviewed all your posts that are available.  I also did an extensive search in the Fitbit Community and the internet in general looking for reports with the key words of Fitbit, sleep stages, and atrial fibrillation.  I specifically searched the Charge 3 and 4.  I found two threads the topic, with a total of eight users commenting.  It doesn't seem like this issue requires a warning, unlike the warning for pacemakers and body fat scales.

Sleep score can have everything to do with the year you bought your Charge 2 and the introduction of the Sleep Score.  Your Charge 2 was a discontinued model in 2019.  The Charge 3/4, Versa series, Inspire series, etc., have different heart rate sensors from the Charge 2.  I also suspect there are different heart rate algorithms.  The lack of reports about atrial fibrillation tells me that Fitbit refined their algorithms.  I also want to add that my husband has paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, meaning he is in atrial fibrillation some of the time, but not all of the time.  He has worn an Ionic and a Sense and gets sleep stages and a sleep score every night.  He needs to use the ECG app on the Sense to see if he is in atrial fibrillation.

Fitbit also gave you the answer.  Atrial fibrillation is, by its nature, an inconsistent heart rate.  Sleep has predictable changes in heart rate variability.  Those changes are missing in atrial fibrillation, especially poorly controlled atrial fibrillation.

I also flagged your second post as a possible violation of the Community Guidelines.  All caps for a word is emphasis.  All caps for a sentence is shouting.  There is no reason for you to shout at me.

[Mikeah]

Thanks, LZeeW ... you have convinced me not to buy another fitbit.

[StevenSN]

Interesting tread.My Versa 2 was not recording sleep scores. Recently diagnosed with AFib. Under went cardiac procedure and got back to normal rhythm. Now getting sleep scores. Checked back and can pinpoint when my AFib started/last score 5/13. Obviously no sleep score was an early detection of my AFib. Hope this helps someone.

[Mikeah]

I've been saying this to fitbit for several years. The crude tests I've done makes the conclusion self evident. Your circumstances convinces me further and I think fitbit should identify this in its product literature.Thank you for the information. Sent from my Galaxy

[pwesner]

I used to have paroxysmal afib and got sleep scores only when not in afib. My afib is now permanent and despite sleeping fairly well my fitbit typically indicates only two or three hours of sleep and no sleep score. I assume the algorithm for sleep score is not able to be used if the heart rate is too irregular. I have owned four different fitbit devices, currently using a Charge 5. There seems to be no difference in sleep score on newer devices. There are still plenty of other applications for the device so I still consider it useful though I do miss the sleep score function. They probably should confirm this issue and create a footnote somewhere to create correct expectations.   

[Mikeah]

I have also used a charge 4 for several years and get the same result as the charge 2. I have never had a sleep score and I have concluded this is due to my continual atrial fibrillation

. 

[StevenSN]

Hi. I had no sleep score when in AFib. Since a cardio version and drug therapy- normal and have sleep scores.