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.

[LWW73]

I did a full factory reset and set-up, including a firmware download.
Didn't help at all. HR and step counts are still too high and the sleep
tracking is really messed up. Taking it back today.

[Gadams99]

Arf78. I did the same reset. My HR for my cardio workout was definitely better. It said I maxed out at a 136 instead . My weight workout max was 147. I wax getting over 165 before. Still not perfect but better. Will keep monitoring . Sometimes it was very close otgerctimes it was out 10-15

[RunForrest82]

I have the same issue. I ordered 2 Versa's, 1 for me and 1 for my girlfriend. A black and peach one. Mine  (black) was fine, had same heartrate as i had before on my Surge. Having 1 on my left and 1 on my right wrist gave my girlfriend's one 30bpm off. So i sent it back and got a new peach. Unpacked it, clear install, same result again. So i'm going for my second return and request another batch or try another black or silver one. Very dissapointing sofar as i was very happy with my fitbit and i persuaded my girlfriend to try this one.

See https://imgur.com/a/aNzwp3I for the comparison result

[tiim]

I finally contacted Fitbit support about this problem and was told that their engineers were working on the issue... but they have no ETA for a fix. I also pointed out that this message thread has over 100 replies and suggested they provide an official comment.

They suggested I follow these steps in the meantime:

1. Turn off the heart rate monitor: On the Versa -> swipe to Settings, scroll down to Heart Rate, and click to the Off setting.
2. Restart the device: Hold down the Versa's left and bottom/right button simultaneously  for 10 sec
3. Turn on the heart rate monitor: See #1.

It is too early to tell if this works, but I will post back either way.

One strange thing I noticed when running through the steps above... my HR monitor continued to blink green after I turned it off in the settings. That didn't seem right.

[acbdparker]

are you returning it?  I would like to try a different versa to see if mine is faulty.  However their exchange policy requires you to return the versa first and get it checked in before they send out a new one so I'd be over a week with no tracker.  They are on back order for 2-4 weeks everywhere else.  I'm not sure what to do.

[Jimtowner]

Recovery Runner, I did not buy from Fitbit but I thought I saw their
website saying they had a 45 day satisfaction return period. That would
mean to me that it could returned for a refund if you say you are not
satisfied and you shouldn’t have to explain. Granted, they may have some
perverse interpretation of their policy but if it were me I wouldn’t stand
for any refusals or delays. They are currently in stock at Amazon, REI.com
and Bed Bath & Beyond according to their websites. Personally, I would by
from REI.com based on their great return policy and excellent customer
service.
--

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[acbdparker]

I had to get a return approval form completed.  Then I was expected to pay shipping so I had to argue that too.  Seems to me if the product is faulty I shouldn't have to pay to return.   I just checked amazon, target, and walmart and they are all on back order until May 6.  I'll look at REI.  Thanks!

[tiim]

---

@tiim wrote:

They suggested I follow these steps in the meantime:

1. Turn off the heart rate monitor: On the Versa -> swipe to Settings, scroll down to Heart Rate, and click to the Off setting.
2. Restart the device: Hold down the Versa's left and bottom/right button simultaneously  for 10 sec
3. Turn on the heart rate monitor: See #1.

It is too early to tell if this works, but I will post back either way.

---

These steps did not work for me. My heart rate "peaked" at 203 during the first 10 minutes of a 30 minute elliptical exercise... while I was just warming up. And unfortunately, that artificial high dwarfs the the three peaks I should see from later in the exercise when I was going all out. 

[bobmccon]

so far it seems that the 1st 10 minutes of any exercise are WAY too high;
after that it calms down but they really need to do something about those
first 10 minutes.

[Lis88]

Hi can i ask if your Fitbit is Linked to a MyFitnessPal account?

I had a similar issue earlier this year with my ionic, regarding the overestimate of exercise and it was conflicting information coming through from MyFitnessPal. 

[Gadams99]

I’m not

Sent from my iPhone

[hawkman199]

I've had my Versa for a little over a week, and compared to my old Charge HR, it's great. However, like many others, I'm getting weird heart rate numbers, especially when spinning. When I'm warming up, the HR runs up to 170+bpm, and after about 5 mins it settles down to my usual target zone of 140 bpm, where it sits quite happily. Today it did the same thing, and during one of the more challenging sections my bpm hit 209! Yikes, kinda freaked me out. I'm a very fit 65 year old squash player and yoga instructor, so transients, if real, are not a problem, but I would love to see numbers I can trust..

[RobertoME]

Hi there everyone, I was reading your posts and I would like to thank you for bringing this to my attention. I know some of you already tried some troubleshooting steps to address this issue with high readings of Heart Rate in your Fitbit Versa.

For those who haven't try any of our recommendations, please refer to our help article sections: What impacts the accuracy of my heart-rate reading? and What impacts my heart rate?

If the issue persists, as some of you have mentioned, this is an issue under investigation and our team is working to resolve it in the future. At the moment there is not an estimated timeframe though.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience it's caused. I appreciate your patience and feel free to report any change in its behavior.

[bobmccon]

all fixes have been tried. Nevertheless the problem persists. Though it
improves over time..the 1st 10 minutes are absurdly high.  I'm comparing the HR with that provided by my Polar h10.
sigh.

[Lovetorunandlif]

I've tried it all! 

[hawkman199]

Hey Roberto, your troubleshooting links are broken. 🙂

[idahoski]

I am glad I am not the only one having this problem. I was testing out my Versa with my Samsung Gear S3.  The Versa said my heart rate was 208, but my S3 said 135 which was in my normal range.

I am glad I had my S3 one or the Versa could have given me a heart attack. My average for one hour of exercising was 153 on the Versa which is higher than my normal peak.  

[bcbakerun]

Like the others on this thread, I tried these suggestions, and the problem still exists.  I'm keeping track of my purchase date and will return the watch if the corrections don't come before the return time expires.

[Yvette-NS]

That’s the Garmin I almost got until I saw the Versa. I should’ve went with that one first!

[Tammy_S]

I have posted a few times about high heart rates recorded during my runs.  I hit the factory reset & was ready to return my Versa.  I found out there is a 30 day return period for the retailer so I decided to keep trying for 16 days.  I ran through the set up last night.  My sleep tracking looked close.  I went on a run this morning & my highest heart rate was 157.  That was much better than 194.  I don't want to jinx anything but I hope my good luck continues.  I'm wearing the Versa fairly snug 1-2 finger tips from my wrist bone.  I don't know that my issues are resolved but thought I would share a realistic reading might just be possible after all.