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.

[PadreL]

I have 30 more days to get a full refund.  May do it if this doesn't work within the next week

[Belbrown]

Don't wait, just do it

[Belbrown]

It is shocking to see how many customers are having the same problem. I
kept sending e-mails and calling, they ended up replacing my versa pebble.
They are fully aware of they faulty readings.

Hope you come right.

[Lyndy-lou]

Did you get a response to your issue about heart rate - I’m still alive and feeling very well with 185 at rest and a cuppa !

[Savikam53]

I changed devices (the fruit brand) and abandoned tracking with the Versa.
However, spouse is part of a program monitoring his health after a heart
attack and they gave him a Blaze. Apparently health care professionals are
finding validity in the tracker results. I still like Fitbit since I must
buy apps on new device to do what Fitbit offers as basic features. I doubt
any of them offer the accuracy of a medical grade monitor. So I resigned
myself to an “it is what it is” mentality and at least it provides some
insight if heart rate goes too high. Incidentally, my husband was wearing
my old Versa and it did have alarming reading when he was having his heart
attack which prompted us to go the ED in the first place. So Versa has
performed in situations where it accurately alerted me to an aFib level
heart emergency and my husbands elevated rate as he was having a heart
attack. It is not a total bust.

[Belbrown]

Hi,

Yes, after many mails back and forth I got them to replace my pebble.

You just need to insist it's not acceptable.

Hope you come right

Kind regards

[bmoliver]

I too complained about high heart rate values for the Versa after buying it in early 2019.  However, in recent months I have noticed that the "peak" heart rate values have dropped significantly for the same cycling activities.  They have had a couple of software/firmware updates since last year so perhaps those have improved the situation.  As an example, two screenshots taken one year apart for the same bike route show lower peak bps values now.

Last July:

Yesterday:

[Lyndy-lou]

Thanks for your feedback the devise has now stopped working completely and tried all the restarts - at loss at what to do

Sent from my iPhone

[Lyndy-lou]

Thanks, the devise has now died completely, hoping to get some help - it’s the second versa I’ve had and both developed same fault - amazingly just weeks before guarantee runs out perhaps they are only meant to last a year ?

Sent from my iPhone

[Lyndy-lou]

Thanks for your reply, did make me think - gave checked my BP and I’m ok thankfully ! It is the devise - I’m hoping someone can help it’s my second versa now !

Sent from my iPhone

[SRAJA]

My fitbit also has started showing very high heart rate even while resting. Got worried and checked it with a BP monitor.The heartrate was away by about 30 

[SRAJA]

Also it's only the last 2-3 days it's happening. It says my heartrate not steady so no sleep score too. Have tried resetting as mentioned in trouble shoot. It gets better but again after a while it shows very high heart rate . 

[Lyndy-lou]

My Fitbit has now died completely, no one seems to be responding- very disappointed- second versa I’ve had in two years - love the look but this is not good - I think they have a fault and although you can take them swimming, I’ve noted both mine developed faults after being in the water on a hot summer day - perhaps this is the issue ?

Sent from my iPhone

[Suresh_KS]

Hi,

I am also facing the same issue. My heartrate in my fitbit versa suppose to be an avg. of 60's and it shows up 140 BPM even when I work on my laptop. Is there any fix for this problem? I see many of the FITBIT users facing the same issue but didn't find a right solution for this.

Thanks and appreciate your ideas or solutions.

[tiim]

I've owned many Fitbits over the years, starting all the way back in 2013 when the company released their first wrist-based tracker. During this time I've had several devices break and have always been impressed with their excellent customer service. In fact, it has been one of the things that has kept me coming back despite the issues I've had. But last month I tried to return a defective device and found their service terrible. I had to wait forever for a reply and once I finally got one, I had to spend $8 to send my broken device back before they would ship me a new one. As a result I lost 2-3 weeks of data. Last time I had this happen they just sent me a new device after a 10-minute online chat. In any case, I'm pretty disappointed in the Fitbit brand at the moment. With that said, I've also been using a Garmin Fenix for the last year and absolutely love it. 

[Lyndy-lou]

Just to say it’s worth contacting the team , they have now been in touch will let you know the progress

Sent from my iPhone

[Belbrown]

Brilliant, I'm happy they have responded.

But please be sure not to just accept any line they might feed you about
it's the latest software update that is causing the issue and they are busy
resolving it. You can go google, they have been "resolving the issue" for a
couple of years now.

I insisted they do more, seeing as it is not a cheap watch and I expected
more from their brand, especially as they are still selling a watch that
they know is a ticking time bomb, some have the issue others don't.

They were going to replace my pebble but only had black, my original was
rose gold, I asked that I would like the original colour I purchased, they
upgraded me to the Versa 2. Not much difference to Versa 1 but it is still
working.

I will deffo go Garmin next, my husband has the Garmin and we compare
distance walked and his is more accurate, we differ only by +-1km, guess
not so big in the bigger scheme seeing as our stride length differs and he
always has his phone connected to his Garmin.

But bottom line,keep the pressure on Fitbit.

Let me know how it turns out

Sincerely
Belbrown




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[Nic62]

Is there a fix for this problem as i'm experiencing it now. Even when sitting quietly my heart rate is showing as 188 and would normally be about 52.

[Che4]

This problem seems like it will never be fixed. Reported it with my Ionic years ago and was told constantly it was being worked on, but no timescale could be given.

Then the Versa, Versa Lite and Versa 2 came out and all reported the same problem.

Nothing has moved  forward since then and I gave up and got rid of my Ionic.

[Lyndy-lou]

Unfortunately my Fitbit died soon after - I think it had a heart attack !

Doc said I was ok !

However, I’m pleased to advise that the moderator got in touch and was very helpful, I am being sent a new device.


Sent from my iPhone