Versa 2 false heart rate spikes during exercise

[JMark235]

Over the last couple of months my Versa 2 has shown huge, temporary spikes in heart rate (HR). I know that these readings are inaccurate because I would feel a sudden increase of 60 BPMs and the heart rate monitor in the piece of gym equipment shows what I believe to be an accurate heart rate that is significantly lower.

In the photo below from 1/26, note that the spike is square shaped which would indicate an unlikely instantaneous increase in HR.

 

In the photo immediately below, note the HR spike to 162. In the next photo is the HR from the heart rate screen (the one that shows your HR over the entire day rather than just during an activity) which shows a max heart rate of 124 during the exercise period vs the 162 on the HR for the bike activity.

If this is just a difference in sampling rates and averaging then the algorithm needs to be changed to be more accurate.

I've rebooted the watch, cleaned the sensors on the back, re-positioned the watch on the wrist and nothing gets rid of this problem. I have noticed that the BPM screen goes blank more often that it used to which might be another symptom of a problem. Also, when the BPM spikes or goes blank, even if I take the watch off, the reading frequently won't change (correct or start showing a BPM) for perhaps 1 minute.

Any more suggestions as to how to fix this? My 1 year warranty ends in about 1 month.

Thanks

[NancyB]

Mine does same thing periodically.. not during exercise & spikes anywhere between 146 - 174. It’s def not correct & there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. 

[HonestyS]

Mine just started doing this at random it will go up to like 193 while giving kids a bath or doing my hair very non strenuous activities I am contemplating dr appointment over it. Or do you think it's a glitch on watch?

[JMark235]

The problem with going to the doc for an intermittent problem such as an occasional, significant spike in heart rate (HR) is that they probably won't do anything if they don't see the spike on their equipment during your appointment if you didn't have any symptoms such as being light headed. If you really had such a sudden, significant increase in HR you probably would have felt it. There are some heart issues such as aFib that can cause a rapid significant increase in HR but this feels more like a rapid flutter which again you would probably almost certainly notice. My personal opinion and I'm not a doc is that this type of reading is an erroneous reading but you should verify that it isn't accurate. I'd suggest getting a pulse oximeter (the thing that your doc clips on to your finger) which will quickly give you a fairly accurate HR reading. You can get a pulse/oximeter as cheap as $10 on Amazon. Especially with kids, you should have one of these anyway to measure SPO2 which will help you determine when a kid's respiratory illness reaches a point where an ER visit would be appropriate. I'd also suggest turning on the FitBit irregular rhythm notifications which, although it isn't as accurate as an EKG, probably would pickup & alert you if if you an episode of aFib (really unlikely. If you have any doubt about whether you might have a very fast, occasional heart beat then you should mention it to your doc at your next appointment.

[NancyB]

I second JMark235. Mine still does this periodically, spikes very high for 1-2 mins & usually around noon for some reason. And I’m not doing anything that would warrant it. I will say however, I’ve noticed when I’m very stressed to get something done quickly my heart rate can show a sudden increase but it’s not for 1-2 mins like these sudden, very high, short spikes. I had an echocardiogram & 2 EKGs in past 6 mos & they were all normal. My spouse has A Fib & he can always tell when it happens.