Apple Watch 6: Can it track heart rate variability (HRV)?

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brsm1990 Author

Level 2

204 points

Apple Watch 6: Can it track heart rate variability (HRV)?

Can it track heart rate variability (HRV)? Either via built in software or third party apps?

Apple Watch

Posted on Sep 16, 2020 8:03 AM

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Answer 1

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Sep 17, 2020 12:53 PM in response to brsm1990

Hello Brsm1990,

Thank you for reaching out to Apple Support Communities in regards to your ability to capture certain Heart Rate readings.

You may want to check out the information in the following: Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it.
Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch. Specifically the section titled "What else affects your heart rate reading."

Please reach out to Get Support for further recommendations concerning this feature.

Be well!

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Answer 2

brsm1990 Author

Level 2

204 points

Sep 18, 2020 7:27 AM in response to CarlAVII

You could have just posted the answer:

"The optical heart sensor can also use infrared light. This mode is what Apple Watch uses when it measures your heart rate in the background, and for heart rate notifications. Apple Watch uses green LED lights to measure your heart rate during workouts and Breathe sessions, and to calculate walking average and Heart Rate Variability (HRV)."

https://www.imore.com/how-measure-heart-rate-variability-hrv-your-apple-watch

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Answer 3

First Magus

Level 7

21,278 points

Sep 18, 2020 7:50 AM in response to brsm1990

They did post an answer, maybe it is not what you think they should have said but most of us try to give answers that the user can read themselves and understand how it works. I also noticed the link you gave is not an Apple link which is fine but some of the sites are not always accurate so a lot of us try to stick to Apple answers. None of us get paid to be here, we are users like you helping other users on our own time. Just something to think about when you ask for help here. Have a good day.

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Answer 4

brsm1990 Author

Level 2

204 points

Sep 18, 2020 7:57 AM in response to First Magus

Only one sentence on that page mentions HRV, it doesn't tell you how to measure it.

"Apple Watch uses green LED lights to measure your heart rate during workouts and Breathe sessions, and to calculate walking average and Heart Rate Variability (HRV)."

The other 848 words have nothing to do with the question.

"Yes it does.", would have been equally appropriate.

As to "accuracy" of third-party sites vs. Apple, Apple doesn't tell you how to use it, the third-party site does. I also asked about Apple Watch 6 battery life (both estimated hours and tech specs) - they have apparently published neither. Apple seems to be the less reliable source of info in this case.

I am also trying to help the other users so when they search on Google and find this thread they can see the answer "Yes." rather than "read these 900 words to find out."

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Apple Watch 6: Can it track heart rate variability (HRV)?

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