How accurate is HRV?

[SunsetRunner]

How accurate is the HRV in the health metrics?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Salted_caramel]

interesting! I'd be curious to see what it shows for your morning reading! Thanks for sharing!

[t.parker]

@Jacko99 rMSDD in the morning usually is a lot higher. For me, rMSDD never went below 70ms in the morning readiness measuring. The thing is, Fitbit uses inaccurate sensor to measure HRV despite the sensor hasn't been designed for that purpose. HRV requires great accuracy. I am curious whether Sense could actually use ECG feature to measure HRV, then I could consider greater level of accuracy. Otherwise, HRV is just a buzzword to sell more devices but with no practical use for users.

[Jacko99]

Took a morning reading with Polar / EliteHRV: 50MS (26.52 RMSSD) - bit sore from weight training and running a couple of 5ks this week, so taking a couple of days off...  Fitbit Sense shows 19. Clearly something amiss with Fitbit. Agree t.parker, hopefully Fitbit could utilise ECG to support the HRV reading but until then I will use Polar / EliteHRV. 

[ohemgee2020]

Phew...another one who's super-relieved to find this thread!

I was so happy when I saw the HRV Data feature on my FitBit app, but for the past few weeks have started thinking I should speak to my doctor about a shockingly low HRV (18-21).

My RHR is consistently around 70 and I'm generally fit and active. I honestly thought the low HRV was a warning of some undiscovered heart defect!

Phew, phew, and phew once more!

[sprale]

I've been using an app called Welltory on my phone to track my HRV. It uses the camera on my phone to take measurements and certainly isn't as accurate as EliteHRV and a chest strap.

However, its measurements are similar to my overnight FitBit HRV, making me think that the FitBit HRV is probably reasonably accurate given the technology limitations.

Various things, including stress and health conditions, can lower HRV. For some people, theirs is just naturally lower as well. Mine varies quite a lot during the day, according to Welltory, but tends to run low.

[AnnAnn11]

If there are so many of us with this issue, when will FitBit fix it? It seems irresponsible to be scaring the pants off of people unnecessarily. 
At 18 hrv, I was worried!!

[Scotty7991]

It's not accurate at all.  It's really to be used as a base line/ bench mark for trending.  So the actual number isn't important, it's the trend of how the number changes over time that matters.  If you see your hrv increasing, that's positive and indicates overall improving health.  If it goes down, the opposite.  Fluctuations of 1-3 milliseconds is normal.  If you want an accurate hrv number, a chest strap hrm and any hrv app will do the trick.  My Fitbit shows my hrv at around 35 on average.  Pretty consistent plus or minus a couple of milliseconds over the course of the past month.  Chest strap has my hrv at 69, which is more accurate based on my age and fitness level.  So again, the Fitbit number is NOT accurate, but the trending seems to be ok.  So don't stress about it.  Hope this helps.

[Hkspwrsche]

Google brought me here with a 31 HRV panic. 60 RHR and 99% on a separate pulse Ox tool. Work out 5 days a week. A little heavy but, not huge. 

I’m curious when this will actually be worth looking at now.

[Ambercoh]

I am so grateful to find this thread. I was really getting worried for nothing!  I was also thinking I should go see a heart dr. Geesh. Thanks everyone! 

[Gragon]

There’s another thread on this topic ... general consensus is that Fitbit’s HRV is not accurate.

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Charge-4/Does-the-Charge-4-calculate-HRV-accurately/td-p/4498519/pag...

The issue has been highlighted to Fitbit ... but they won’t act on it unless there are sufficient users voicing the issue. Have your say here ... hopefully, Fitbit will take notice rather than just use HRV as a marketing gimmick and cause concern to users:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Improve-HRV-measurements-accuracy/idi-p/4853102

[Codicus12]

God I'm glad I found this thread. I'm 27 and my resting heart rate is 61, I exercise regularly and eat healthy, and yet my hrv has been showing up as 43.

[Solutiongirl]

Hi!  Just wondering if any new news...my HRV on Inspire is always around 11 😞 I am always freaked out.  I am about 40 pounds over weight..but am working on it with excercise and diet...But I don't know what to do or how it see if there is really a problem or not..just wondering if anyone knows..a lot of you are like 20 etc...11 sometimes goes to 9 ...highest like 2 times it was 20....any advice?

[Sarahm1973]

Did you ever find out if it’s accurate? I just checked mine for the first time and it’s as low as yours. I’m so freaked out!

[Scotty7991]

Don't be freaked out.  It is NOT accurate.  Had mine checked at my cardiologist and Fitbit isn't even close to being accurate.  Use it as a baseline or not at all.  If you are still concerned or have other symptoms please see your doctor.

[Sarahm1973]

Thanks! I hope it’s wildly inaccurate because mine was 10 this morning! I’m not overweight but haven’t been exercising too much in the last year. I think I should put in a call to my cardiologist just in case!

[Solutiongirl]

Nope...but next physical i am asking a doctor. I have noticed with
increase sleep on a regular schedule (I am usually a night owl) and
increased excercise it increases but highest was 22. 😕 I even called
Fitbit support once to ask..no help.

[Pn1305]

Hi Sarah

this is my first time in the forum, my hrv is 7 or 8,  so I’m a bit worried too being an overweight 71 year man who was given an inspire on my 70th birthday it I do a bit of exercise but not much 

Not sure what I should do now breathing rate is 12 per min and resting heart rate 75

seeing a doctor in England is like winning the lottery 

Thought I’d join the club my hrv 7 or 8

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Solutiongirl]

If you hear anything let me know! Ya..mine got up to 22 when I was doing a
bunchch of cardio and dropped out alcohol...but currently average 13 😕

[Pn1305]

I read that a drug I take amitriptyline affects hrv. But that was for
100mg a day i only take 10mg for hip pain at night. So the hunt continues
Stay safe.
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[navychair]

I am at 17 today...yesterday 20....going downhill quickly...