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.

[David4321]

have you tried tightening the strap? I make it tight for running and bike and the readings are ok. But it’s too tight for all day wear.
David

[colinbb]

I've had two Versas now, both giving excessively high heart rates while walking, and I've tried all the suggestions in this thread. The second one seemed a bit better but had another fault where it would dim to almost invisible in low light. So they've both been returned to Amazon and I'm back to using my Fitbit One and twenty year old wrist watch.

I think the technology is flawed myself. Looking at other product forums there seem to be a lot of problems with wrist based heart monitors.

[giugiubee]

I’ve tried every level of ”tightening” and there is no magic bullet. At the end of the day, i shouldnt have to constantly change the tightening of the strap. One day a specific strap length works, but is not replicable. It’s basically like tossing the dice, which renders the product useless.

[woody_nh]

I got a new band that is softer so I can wear it tighter:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKZTRD6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and that helps a bit; peaks not quite as high. The measurement is made by looking through the skin at blood movement so movement of the watch on the wrist while exercising may  be interpreted as additional heart beats.

I still have moderately high average readings with maybe  10 bpm plus and minus jitter  around the average. The instantaneous measurements need to be time averaged a bit prior to display. Does fitbit have an engineer with some digital signal processing background??

[bcbakerun]

I had the same thing happen to me.

[VeraEate]

haha so true.
Love this post.
I ended up sending my Versa back to where I bough it. They gave me store
credit and I upgraded it to the fitbit Ionic. Been using it for 4 weeks or
so and had no problem with heart rate.

My advise. ACCC. Don't put up with it. send it back.
Keep Active and Counting!

[Che4]

I wouldn't rush to upgrade to an ionic. I've had mine's for 4 months with exactly the same problems. Fitbit admits there's a problem and say their engineers are working on it. Just check the Ionic forums, problems have been on going since release.

Get Outlook for Android

[Che4]

Update: I have had some success by doing the following. Unpaired the Ionic from my android  phone, deleted the fitbit app and switched my phone off. Went to fitbit dashboard and removed my Ionic, then factory reset the device. I then set it up on a fitbit approved device and now only synch the Ionic on this device. Since then I have had no heart rate issues and have been impressed how accurate the Ionic has been compared to a polar oh-1. Early days yet and unable to use my phone, but hopefully fixed after a returned Versa and an Ionic that has been inaccurate for 4 months.

[RBTan32]

What do you mean by "fitbit approved device"? I just sync mine on my
Android phone.

[Che4]

I too just synched with my Android phone, and as it worked thought there was no issue. I then found out not all mobiles are compatible with the Fitbit app and fitbit list all compatible devices on their help pages. My Android device was not on this list.

I then set up on an old iOS device and have not had any spiking heart rate issues for 5 days now, previously after a factory reset it would spike after a couple of days.



Get Outlook for Android

[SunsetRunner]

My Versa is having the same problem. I’ve had it for just over a month and my resting heart rate has been as low as 63, but now it goes between 70 and 72. I cleaned the sensor with alcohol and restarted it, but it’s still showing a higher than normal reading. Any advice? 🙂 

[AudreyM4]

I honestly returned mine and got a garmin, you could return yours for
defect, just depends on if you think its worth getting another one

[kimw0909]

I just got my Versa yesterday and immediately noticed my HR readings seemed too high. Wondering if it's really possible for a watch to detect accurately though? 

[SunsetRunner]

That’s my thinking, too. Nothing is perfect ☺️
--
*11)Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business
and to work with your hands... 12)so that your daily life may win the
respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ~1
Thessalonians 4:11-12*

[David4321]

Try making the strap tight when your active (eg running)

Sent from my iPhone

[VBran]

Has this been resolved for you yet?

[VBran]

Has this been resolved for you?

[VBran]

Has this been resolved for you yet?

[SunsetRunner]

It seems to be better! I cleaned the sensor with an alcohol wipe and also
started wearing the Versa a little higher on my wrist. My numbers have been
more accurate and the average is on its way back down.
Thanks!
--
*11)Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business
and to work with your hands... 12)so that your daily life may win the
respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ~1
Thessalonians 4:11-12*

[tiim]

I resolved the issue by returning my Versa and reverting to my old Charge 2... and it has been working nicely ever since.

I wouldn't recommend the Versa to anyone after my three-month experience waiting for Fitbit to update the firmware or offer a solid workaround. I found it to be completely unreliable.