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.

[Tammy_S]

I haven't been able to check my heart rate from my run this am since it been saying all day I'm offline.  I don't know if it's related to the issue they have posted or something else.  I guess I can't say it's inaccurate if I can't see it.

[Jess55]

I’m not sure what to do. Should I return it my workout yesterday seemed fairly close to my normal. But when I’m walking it says my HR is higher than it is. Although the workout did say I was at peak longer than normal. I’m thinking of returning it and repurchasing it somewhere with a longer return period. 

But it I got it because my charge 2 dies completely. I don’t want to be without anything 😞

[acbdparker]

I did the reset per Fitbit's request.  I went for my run this morning and still peaked at 191 while briskly jogging downhill...  Now they are requesting I perform another test.  I'm so frustrated.  I have my PR half marathon this saturday with a $240 useless fitbit.  I already sold my blaze.  I don't know what to do.  I feel like fitbit's customer service on this issue is awful.

[BamIAm]

I had wackiness with mine when wearing it a little loose on my wrist, it had slid down from higher up on my arm.  Make sure you have it a little above the wrist bone and snug, should work better then.  The finger-width guidance Fitbit gives is just about right.

Weirdly, if I leave it there, I get "ghost steps" when driving.  Moving it back to the wrist position, slightly looser, ghost steps are greatly reduced.  Non-exercise heart rate tracking is normal then too.

[acbdparker]

Now I've been told I have to run ANOTHER diagnostic test.  He questioned if my weight and height were accurate in my settings.  I have been using fitbit for 3 YEARS.  The versa is going to mess all my race data up saturday and the agent just confirmed that they are discontinuing the blaze.  Looks like I'm moving to apple due to this terrible device and customer service.

[SunsetRunner]

"We are working to resolve an issue affecting Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Ionic that is impacting syncing, setup and firmware updates, music transfer, the Weather app, and downloading apps/clock faces from the App Gallery. Thanks for your patience!"

This has appeared on the top of this forum thread and the Fitbit Twitter feed. Since I have a 90 day return window with REI (thanks for the heads up @RunningH2O , I looked on REI's website and you were correct) I'm going to give it one more week. I've started looking at Garmin Fenix models. I need something waterproof and battery that lasts multiple days for backpacking and camping so Apple watch won't cut it. I hope it doesn't come to that, I like Fitbit's app way more than Garmin Connect.

As I sit here typing this my Versa shows my heart rate is 102. *sad trombone*

[acbdparker]

Yes. I’ve seen that statement. I’m curious if that applies to HR also. The 2 times I have spoken with customer service they have not indicated any effort to enhance the performance of heart rate or fix the bugs. I also prefer Fitbit’s layout as well as the motivational friend base I have. Would hate to lose it but am super frustrated. Guess we shall see. 

[Tammy_S]

I logged my heart rate & sleep tracking issues with support on 4/22 am.  They did say today their engineering team is working on resolving the heart rate issues.  They don't have an estimated time line at this point to resolve the issue but their engineers are striving to resolve it as soon as possible.  I am torn whether to continue capturing inaccurate information or return the Versa & pull out my Blaze.  I wish I knew how soon they can resolve the problems. 

[Dazrox]

@ Linzstrud - I would recommend the Polar M430. Does not have bells and whistles but as a heart rate monitor, best by far.

[RunningH2O]

sent mine back today, guess i will rely on the old fashion heart rate monitor 😊

Don with peace from my iPhone

[random_username]

@tiim I think this might be a calibration error. The day I updated to Fitbit OS 2 [on Ionic], my heart rate showed up as 179 bpm at one point. Since I know my heart rate doesn't go up that high during my workout [Even at only 16 years old], I knew there was something wrong with that. I re-calibrated it [plugged it in] and it seemed on point. Anyway, if the problem persists, contact Customer Support and they may be able to do something about it. If I'm missing a piece of information [time-frame, as an example], just let me know.

[Gadams99]

Random_username what did you plug in to recalibrate ?

[Jimtowner]

I chatted with support about another issue and asked if they were working
on the high heart rate problem. He said:"We already have a special team
working on this specific inconvenience. I will suggest to keep an eye on
any update available for the Fitbit app or any firmware available for your
watch."I also asked about the recalibration. When he said all my data and
apps would be deleted I stopped pursuing it.
--

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[LWW73]

They had me do the re-start also. No help. The sleep tracking is off
too. I slept 7+ hours last night and the Versa reports 1hr 22min. I'm
giving support 1 more chance, but I don't have much hope.

[GittlerB]

Ok so I’m not having a heart attack 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

@LWW73, are you using a Fitbit-made clock face or one made by a third party from the clock gallery? If third party, try switching to a Fitbit-made one and sleep again. See if it detects correctly.

[LWW73]

@SunsetRunner, thanks for the suggestion, but I'm using everything
out-of-the-box. No clock faces, music, or anything custom. Tech Support's
next suggestion is a "factory reset", which means going through the set-up
process again. I want this to work, so I'm going to do it, but I'm not too
optimistic.

[Dazrox]

Returned it today. Marketing 101, the product needs to be right for it to be a success.

[Ap321]

has happened to me as well. Sorry Fitbit I had to return my Versa and my apple watch has had practically no problems with inaccurate readings, sure the battery life is not as great but thats really the only negative

[Tammy_S]

I don't have my route or heart rates captured from my running workout yesterday either.  I could see a heart rate on my wrist while I was running but I can't see what peaks were captured.  This issue is included in my support case but I don't have any answers yet.  It was capturing the data earlier.  Support suggested I switch platforms since my Note 8 is not listed on their supported devices list.  Only the Note 8.0 is listed which is the tablet sized device.  I have to think their list is outdated.  Why wouldn't they support the Note 8 phone?  It's been working fine since November with the Blaze.  Odd.  When I check resting heart rates occasionally they look reasonable.