Incorrect Heart rate measurement - Charge 4

[mstinagray]

Just did a workout with my new Charge 4 and my polar chest strap. I was so hoping the good reviews of the HR functionality of this Fitbit were true, but alas, it still cannot track HR properly. If it were only a little off, I would be okay, but same workout with Charge 4 = 115 bpm/avg and a high of 163 with 214 calories burned. Polar measured 155 bpm/avg, high of 188 and 378 calories burned. I hate wearing all this gear, but guess I still have to. So annoying! And yes, if adjusted the strap.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity.

[MkSwmFly]

I want a wearable that is reasonably accurate, so a non-wearable just wouldn't be useful. FITBIT products have a good way of presenting info for review after, but the heart rates I see while exercising are just not very reliable. I'll finish a particularly hard exercise, and the rate will show something WAY BELOW what my actual rate is per wrist or neck pulse. I don't know what their algorithm is, but it appears to use some kind of average - I can only assume because it doesn't get much reliable data, so it makes up what it figures is PROBABLY LIKELY from what it sees. While swimming, it doesn't even TRY to give a heart rate, which is ridiculous!

[charleskn]

I have not had the same issues, except occasionally, but I do use a Polar armband to monitor my heart rate during exercise. It's not something I wear all day, however. Only for exercises, and it only tracks heart rate. For things like running, the companion app tracks location.

[Xphyle]

I've done some double checking with a pulse ox monitor and my KardiaMobile card - it seems that my FitBit is exactly double my actual HR at times. This morning for instance it was showing 160 and the pulse ox monitor said I was at 80. Then I did a 30-second ekg that put me at 70bpm and the Fitbit showed me at 140. I think I'll be looking for another product now. My medical anxiety just can't take this. 

[RBParker]

The Apple Watch worked for me. I had the same problem with the Fitbit 4 Tried 2 of them with same results. Can’t believe that in all of this time the problem hasn’t been fixed.

Sent from my iPhone

[Susanna_Jones]

That's good you're making a change and can see the failure of the Fitbit
product. I've been using a completely different watch for over a year now
and have no issues whatsoever. I started running again and never leave the
160 zone. My biggest complaint is that it took a very long time for Fitbit
to acknowledge the failure of their product. And yes it does cause anxiety.
To the point where I had medical testing. When I showed medical records to
Fitbit (which show did I have a completely normal functioning heart), it
still took a very long time to acknowledge the failure. What a horrible
product and even worse customer service. I finally got a refund but that
money was not compensation at all for the testing and anxiety. Even with
health insurance I still paid several hundred to have my heart examined.
Fitbit, nor any watch for that matter, should ever advertise accuracy in
health diagnosis.

[Paolamb]

I can confirm HR is not fit for purpose.  I have just had an episode of SVT, and ecg registered my heart rate as over 200 bpm my charge 4 registered 126 bpm at the same time.  I purchased this to keep track of my HR but it clearly isn't capable of doing this. My pulse rate however was correct.