Versa 2 heart rate is not accurate

[CPGlendale]

I purchased a Versa 2 a couple months ago. I thought it was great that I could record my activities and see summaries following the workouts on the watch face. I immediately noticed my heart rate was hitting an extremely and potentially dangerous peak rate which caused me to see a cardiologist. After doing an echo stress test and wearing a heart monitor for a week I found out the heart rate monitor on the Versa 2 is extremely inaccurate. There was a 30-40 bpm difference in what the cardiologists heart monitor recorded and what the Fitbit recorded. I’m extremely disappointed in the Fitbit inaccuracy as well as the anxiety and cost associated with having to see the cardiologist only to find out everything was normal. Anyone else having this issue?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[JaniceFit4Life]

I’m having the same problem with my Fitbit versa to heart rate showing extraordinarily high heart rates at times when I’m not working out. Since I have had atrial fibrillation in the past and cured it with an ablation, I am keenly sensitive to my heart rate. I too was thinking of contacting my cardiologist to see why I’m showing search variations at high levels of my heart rate… I’m sorry you had to go through all of that. But your feedback did help me when I googled the question about versatile and a heart rate monitor

[gkbdvm]

This a a snapshot of today( after the versa 2 software update last week).  I was changing clothes to go for my daily walk and glanced at my Versa and it showed my heartrate was 127.  I immediately used my medically FDA accurate Kardia mobile which at the exact same time told me my rate was 72 BPM.  This is the second versa 2 I had, the first was replaced by Fitbit for this problem and their inability to solve it.  This one has been doing this and they offered a new fitbit of my choice for 30% off.  Nice, but why would I want another when the first 2 I had are not accurate.  Looks like Apple watch may be next,  Any other suggestions?

 

[AlphaRose_V]

Mine is all over the place. If I’m working out and my heart rate is actually about 120 my versa will say It’s like 165 170 and when I actually get my heart rate up to 165 170 my verse so we’ll see that it’s at like 120 or less. Extremely extremely inaccurate. My family got it for me for Christmas and I can’t exactly complain about it to them or ask them to exchange it because that wouldn’t go down well with my family, they’re real touchy about stuff.

[Kirapirre]

Actually went on this forum because this happened to me. Normally my Versa 2 says my heart rate is within normal limits except when I am working out of course. But today I was just at work and all the sudden looked down to see it at 140 and then 190! When it never gets that high even at the gym for me. Had a panic attack over it for sure so your post has absolutely given me ease. Haha.

[DDom]

I have a Versa 2 for the past couple of years now.  Initially, the HR reading was pretty much accurate but now it shows erroneous reading.  I just had my HR checked at the doctor's office and compared with versa 2, versa is a off by 20 points, 68 Vs 88.  Don't rely on Versa 2.  Check against other HR monitors or when you visit your doctor.

[DrJoeK]

I am noticing my HR is artificially low when I am on the treadmill. I am wondering if it is giving accurate sleep data, conditioning data and fitness data. I am a premium subscriber but I am wondering if I can trust the information I get from my device.

[AlanR03]

After owning my Versa 2 for several months my assessment now is really that
it's more of a toy than a serious monitor. I have no idea if the sleep data
is accurate. But the heart rate while I exercise is all over the place. And
I have tried wearing it in all sorts of ways that have been suggested. The
technology for these watches (I don't know if the Apple Watch is much
better) is promising but just not there yet. I still use my chest strap
sensor and a different heart monitor while I exercise. Very stable and
accurate.

[Notbloodyhappy]

I went to the emergency room on Monday because of this garbage fitbit!

No not happy with this at all

 Totally unacceptable 

[Parkersspace]

Hmm my versa 2 was inaccurate when doing heavy work outs years ago when I first got it but updates have made it very accurate as long as I wear it properly.  It really needs to fit the wrist properly and then you have to figure out where on your wrist it gives the most accurate reading, which will be between 1 finger above the wrist bone and 3 fingers above.  It must be snug but not cutting off the circulation.  I do not work for fitbit and do not promote them but I believe people should realize that there is many reason it may not be accurate and never should be used as a medical device.  If my fitbit said my heart was racing it might be a clue.  I would then test it by measuring my pulse to see if it was accurate, you merely measure you pulse for 10 seconds and multiply by 6 to see your heart rate (per minute).  Here in the US I would definitely not want to run to the hospital and pay huge fees because a watch, not a medical device said my heart rate was high.  Also as someone who is very active I know my  heart rate can jump up when I'm working out to 170 and be 90 when I calm down/stop exercising.  Your information here is not helping anyone if it doesn't give details of what went on.  Was it a new device, should you be dealing with customer service to get it fixed on warranty?  Is it a very old device that maybe has ran it's life's course and needs replaced?  Mine tend to last a couple of years but I gave my brother one 5 years ago (the alta) and he is still wearing it and it still works, lucky i guess.  Just more details of what actually happened would help the public to assist you with fixing it (this forum is where public post about issues and try to resolve them not fitbit).

[zebwaite]

Bit late to the party but just back from a run and noticed my max heart rate was 201, so glad to see this as it’s eased my anxiety a bit! 

[DDom]

The maximum heart rate while exercising  can be found by subtracting your age from 220.  So, if you are 40, the max heart rate while exercising is 180.  The resting heart rate is 60-100 but it can vary depending on whether you are an athlete or do lot of exercise.  Resting heart rate in the lower 60s is better. 

I made several comparisons between my Versa 2 with other monitors at different situations, most of the time it is inaccurate. Fitbit Customer service is of no help.   

[AlanR03]

Agreed. Costumer service is of no help because they know the issue and
there really isn’t a cure for it. They use the excuse of “not a medical
device” but none of us use or want to use a “medical device” while on the
cross trainer. Just sayin.

[Parkersspace]

But your watch should be fairly accurate if worn right on a clean arm.  I had the problem and really don't now so it's not all the watches and there is wearing issues, make up, oils on the skin, sun screen that can affect the reading with the lights that watch your blood flow in the veins to measure the heart rate.  Many people found after a few updates were done they were far more accurate.  They have replaced many that I have read on the forums when in warranty and they were not measuring accurately so if you are in warranty and have tried moving it and making it snug and it's not accurate you should definitely contact them to see about getting it replaced in warranty as they do that.  I had 3 charge 3's total, 1 purchased and 2 on warranty prior to going to the versa.  I hated the versa at first but it is very accurate now.  Even when I went in hospital after a bee sting (I'm allergic) and was hooked to a heart monitor while they monitor my return to normalcy it followed the hospital heart monitor.  It really can be a very good tool to help you exercise effectively.  You could try the Garmin with the chest strap add on if you really want super high accuracy but this really should be accurate enough to allow you to see a pretty good representation of your work outs.  Someone had an app at one time that would show all the break downs of the HR instead of the rounded per minute it shows at the end of a work out also.  A 2018 study showed it fairly accurate, https://www.hrsonline.org/news/press-releases/new-study-show-popular-smart-watches-accurately-measur...  But the versa 2 (i got after my charge 3 that was really accurate but had screen issues and water proof issues) was not accurate at first, I wear it higher above the wrist bone and a bit snugger than initially and they ran firmware updates, after which it's accuracy has been good for me and many others that posted that found it later had become more accurate.

[AlanR03]

I am really happy you have found a way for it to work for you. Mine is now
out of warranty so not sure what they can do about it. Anyway, after the
first month I owed it I was going back and forth with their tech support
for weeks. We tried all sorts of things, you name it. If I am just sitting
around I think it produces accurate numbers. But when I am doing aerobics I
wear both the Vera 2 and the Polar (with chest strap) and watch the heart
rate on the Versa 2 shoot up to 5x the reading of the Polar and back down,
for no apparent reason. I have tried changing positions and tightness. It's
just not working for me. I am back to the Polar during exercise. The bottom
line though, it shouldn't take any of us so much trouble to get it to work
correctly. Their technology is just not ready yet. And their disclaimer
about 'not a medical device' is a cop-out, just means they really knew all
along their monitors would be difficult.

[JaniceFit4Life]

After getting several high readings for my heart rate on Fitbit I finally agreed to wear a heart monitor for 30 days. The heart monitor showed that I have Paroxysmal Supra-ventricular tachycardia ~ which is basically a heart rate that will occasionally go up and then drop back down. I was put on beta blockers. I also took a heart stress test where you’re hooked up to heart monitors and you get on a treadmill and run as fast as you can for as long as you can. While I did this I checked my heart rate on their monitors and believe it or not it was the same as the heart rate reading on my Fitbit.

The stress test showed absolutely no problems with my heart while I ran. So that’s good news ~ but I do not know if that means FitBit’s heart rate is accurate. Because I still get heart rate surges ~ according to my Versa 2 ~ once in a while for no reason at all and I do not feel my heart racing. 
janice

[AlanR03]

Wow, sorry about your condition but very interesting. I know what you mean
though, I think if your monitor is at 102 then suddenly goes to 200 ( which
happens all the time for me) you would think you would feel that
difference!

[JaniceFit4Life]

Yeah I know that’s what I mean. Once in awhile I’ll feel my heart race, but 90% of the time I look at my Fitbit and see my heart rate is high for no reason. That’s when I think FitBit’s heart monitor is a little wacky.

But my stress test showed that in normal conditions it is right on target

Sent from my iPhone

[MarioDings]

I' m taking the heatbeats for granted. Some doctors (medicine doctors) say that with this heartbeat I should be 6 feet under. My cardiologist says the fitbit is wrong. 

My health has never been better. So I'm not complaining...:) I 'm 66 years young......Max heartbeat should ben around 150. I think fitbit can't cope with my Left bundle branch block.

Warming up running outside

[gkbdvm]

Still NOT accurate!

washing dishes, glanced at my Fitbit versa 2...after updating software yesterday, said HR 142.  Got out my Kardia mobile. 71..Normal sinus rythym....

a little off is 1 thing, 2x actual reading is a mistake somewhere!!

Ongoing!

--------------

Then, tonite I did my 30 min treadmill walk.  Afterward, my fitbit told me I had a peak hr for  15 min at 196!  Not!  My alarm is set for hr of 150..never went off!   Apple..here I come!  Btw, reset watch just before I walked!

[AlanR03]

Yea, sorry, if we wanted a device to monitor heart rate while exercise we
wasted our money. Let’s hope Google can fix.

Hey, check the reviews before you buy Apple about this issue. I have read
that Apple watches have the same problem. Although I haven’t done very much
research so don’t know how prevalent it is.