Heart rate readings too high in Fitbit Versa

[tiim]

I just went on my first run with the Versa and found the heart rate wildly off. I've had several other Fitbit devices that have registered a peak rate between 160-165 bpm for the same run, on the same wrist, with the same wrist placement. This run shows a lengthy section where my heart rate peaks at 209. I'm in my late 40's... No way that is accurate. Anything I can do to fix this?

Moderator Edit: Updated Subject For Clarity.

[getfit33]

That is all well and good, however, it appears that this problem has been
on Fitbit's plate for quite some time and people are frustrated. The
community is beginning to think you can't fix it. Any idea on timing?
Otherwise I believe I may return my Versa.

[Che4]

Couldn't agree more. My Ionic's HR problems have been ongoing since April last year and I've been told on a few occasions that it would be fixed soon. What is soon?

[CasandraS]

I purchased the Versa in January and am experiencing unusually high BPM readings.... I walked on the treadmill today for a few minutes and noticed my heart rate spiked up to 165 in the first few minutes... again while running it spiked to 180bpms within one minute of jogging... I was really freeked out at first but after reading this forum it looks like this is nothing new.  

[Savikam53]

Still unresolved from what I can tell. I called tech support and they had me restart the device. Still high readings. I actually purchased a pulse-ox meter to monitor the results. Resting HR appears to be consistent most of the time. However, when exerting myself there is a wide variance between the two. Could be wrist placement impacting results. I grew tired and no longer rely on the Versa results for HR. Check with tech support to see if there is a fix.

Sent from my iPhone

[Luvee8]

Hi Savikam I too am still getting high readings when I jog or do workouts. I still have not heard of any fixes to the versa. The resting rates seem to be correct but none of the readings. I think I might go back to the old Fitbit I had.

i have moved thi s one to different positions and different wrist did change the readings.

thanks for the update

[Luvee8]

Casandra,

I too am getting high reading that make no sense. Today I was out doing my walk/jog and got a reading of 188bpm and then it dropped down to 126 so it makes no sense and still no fixes that I know of.still waiting for the so called techs to finish working on the problem. This is crazy.

[Luvee8]

Hi Tim I have been having the same problem ever since I got my versa in December. The resting bpm seems to be right but durning physical activity it jumps to crazy numbers. Tech said they have been contacted about this multiple times and were working on a fix...still waiting for that fix.

[mprague]

Same issue here, My Versa worked flawlessly for the first few months, now the heart rate reading is ridiculously high compared to other devices I have measured with... if my heart rate registers so high, it throws off the calories burned and this device then becomes useless to me. I tried restarting several times, it was better for a bit and the went way up again. I did a factory reset and thought that solved the problem, but it hasn't. I am a long time fitbit user and this is incredibly frustrating.

[mprague]

Update...I called Fitbit and they couldn't have been more accommodating. A replacement is on the way! While these idiosyncrasies are frustrating, their customer service was excellent. I should note that my Versa is only 6 months old and still under warranty.

[mprague]

Call customer service, they will send you a replacement if you are still under warranty.

[Konaneil]

When you get your new unit please, please let us all know if the new unit tracks your heart rate properly. The problem is so common and been going on so long that I'm betting it's a hardware bug.

[getfit33]

I sent mine back. I refuse to spend money on faulty equipment.

[SunsetRunner]

Whew! I was getting ready to make an appointment with a cardiologist. Just did a bike ride clocking in at 202 bpm, but wasn’t breathing as heavy as that sort of heart rate would require. Very strange. Glad to know it’s a watch thing and not a heart thing. 

[mprague]

Spoiler

Exactly what happened to me! Fitbit replaced my Versa after I called and I just left a spin class and things look much better! 

[SunsetRunner]

I have been navigating customer service with heart rate tracking issues with my Versa (mine spikes to north of 200 bpm when I exercise - hardly an accurate reading). The final email they sent me was that they were aware of the issue and were monitoring its impact to customers. They also said that they were working on a fix, but did not expect to have one anytime soon. That was it. My next step is to try to take it back to Best Buy even though it is out of the return window. I'm going to take my email with me that states the watch has known issues and ask them to take mine back and pull the Versa from their shelves.

I have a coworker who has a Versa and she didn't think hers had any problems until I showed her where to look. She is young and uses it to run and only looks at the distance and the calories burned. When we got into the details of her run, her heart rate was in the 180s for most of her run, which as ridiculous. I explained to her that given that her heart rate is wrong, the calorie count is also incorrect. Needless to say, she is no longer that happy with her Versa. Depending on how someone uses the watch, they are none the wiser that all their data is skewed.

It is unethical and morally reprehensible what that company is doing. People assume  this watch is correct and there a lot of people out there with artificially elevated or low heart rates that may be acting to correct a condition that does not exist. 

[getfit33]

Agreed on all points! What amazes me is that fitbit has know of the problem for a long time yet continues to sell the product. From what I am reading, the Versa Lite, just released in March of this year, has the same issue. Really???? They release another with the same problem? Ethics! Where are they? Fitbit needs to review its ethics policy and make this right or take them off the market. I returned mine!

[Che4]

Absolutely spot on!

The same issues were reported, and are still unresolved, with the ionic months before the versa was released.

Wonder if the charge 3 has the same problems.

Get Outlook for Android

[mprague]

Fitbit replaced my Versa, and I have been wearing the new one for a few weeks. It is working perfectly. When I called, they were quick to offer and send out a replacement. I have had several Fitbit’s over the years and unlike many, my experience with customer service has been quite good! 

[Che4]

Fitbit refused to replace my ionic saying the same thing could happen with the replacement. Said they were aware of the issue and were working on a fix. Now been over a year and still no fix.

Get Outlook for Android

[SomeGuyYouKnow]

Am just setting up my replacement versa which was sent out after some remote looking at data and a factory reset.

Will be interested to see if new one is any more accurate. Also noticed that activity tracking had ditched showing BPM - with be interested to see if it is the same for new versa