Versa and Coach heart rate inquiry

[rockscissors]

I've been experimenting with my Versa and overall really like it. One thing I noticed is the Coach app, and it doesn't seem to be accurate.

I was just playing with it (not exercising) and immediately it showed my BPM jumping from 65bpm to 100, then 140. I was sitting the entire time laughing that this app is "faking" my heart rate assuming I'm exercising. I thought the Fitbit watch measures your heart rate. Has it been faking it all this time?

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[AlejandraFitbit]

A warm welcome to the Community @rockscissors.

I just want to let you know that I have moved your post from the Fitbit Coach board to the Versa board, since I think here you might be able to find more answers regarding your watch.

Now about your heart rate inquiry, is this only happening while using the Fitbit Coach app or are you experiencing this with other activities? Keep in mind that your heart rate reading varies depending on several factors like movement, temperature, humidity, stress level, physical body position, caffeine intake, and medication.

For more information about this, check the What should I know about my heart rate data? article.

Hope to hear from you soon. 

[Jaizzert]

The same thing happened to me too! I was sitting looking at the coach app on my versa and it showed my heart rate at 146 bpm! It took over 2 minutes after I exited the app for my heart rate to show as normal. Ive uninstalled this app as its useless as it stands.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Welcome to the Forums @Jaizzert.

Thanks for troubleshooting this by yourself and would like to know if you have take a look at my previous post? If you haven't, I recommend doing this and follow the instructions provided there.

Catch you later. 

[rockscissors]

Hi Alejandra, 

Yes this only happens when the fitbit coach app is running. I don't seem my bpm arbitrarily increasing in any other apps. I observed exactly the same behavior as others mentioned in this post. The bpm goes up to 140+ when I'm sitting down watching the coach app doing nothing. Then when I exit the coach app it takes 1 min or so for the bpm to go back to normal. It seems the algorithm used to calculate bpm goes haywire when the coach app runs. 

Just to reiterate I'm sitting down doing nothing when the bpm rate goes incredibly high. So I think either (1) the coach app is broken, (2) my fitbit is broken and doesn't work correctly when the coach app runs, or (3) this is intentional to increase the bpm algorithmically when the coach app runs so people think they are getting exercise. 

This is a big deal and I'd appreciate a bit more than a canned response. Please elevate to your senior support team. This has me question whether the fitbit ever measures the bpm correctly or if this entire time it has been situation based (e.g., doing perceived exercise, or moving your arm) and incorrect. 

[rockscissors]

(reposting as a reply since you missed my earlier response) 

Yes this only happens when the fitbit coach app is running. I don't seem my bpm arbitrarily increasing in any other apps. I observed exactly the same behavior as others mentioned in this post. The bpm goes up to 140+ when I'm sitting down watching the coach app doing nothing. Then when I exit the coach app it takes 1 min or so for the bpm to go back to normal. It seems the algorithm used to calculate bpm goes haywire when the coach app runs. 

Just to reiterate I'm sitting down doing nothing when the bpm rate goes incredibly high. So I think either (1) the coach app is broken, (2) my fitbit is broken and doesn't work correctly when the coach app runs, or (3) this is intentional to increase the bpm algorithmically when the coach app runs so people think they are getting exercise. 

This is a big deal and I'd appreciate a bit more than a canned response. Please elevate to your senior support team. This has me question whether the fitbit ever measures the bpm correctly or if this entire time it has been situation based (e.g., doing perceived exercise, or moving your arm) and incorrect. 

[Achobg]

I have the same issue with the exercise modes - weights and workout , i dont do anything and my bpm jumps to 135 then slowly goes down after 2minutes .... 

[rockscissors]

Ok so best I can tell Versa is bugged and doesn't work properly. Thanks "moderators" for not responding to this. I'm going to have to post on forums about versa issues. This is ridiculous. 

[Tarunk]

Hey

I bought versa yesterday. Same issue , tried to show the coach app to my buddy. I was just sitting and the HR jumped to 140 !!!. He was laughing. Is my watch broken ? Does it ever show accurate HR ?

[peppermintaero]

Same issue here. Although, I shouldn't call this an issue because maybe that's how they designed it. From where I'm standing, it looks like its raising your heartbeat based on an assumption that you're working out as opposed to 'measuring' it. I'm hoping that's not the case and this is just a bug. 

This brings up other questions about the authenticity of the heartbeat monitor during exercises for me. I would love an update on this as I'm also curious what the reason for this is!