Hi, I have a series 6 Apple Watch and have noticed when using the workout app to track my runs, my watch doesn’t seem to track heart rate for the first mile? Has anyone else had this problem?
Apple Watch
Hey there, jonmaryniak!
Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities! If we understand correctly, you're having trouble with the heart rate being measured during a workout. We know it's important for your Apple Watch to capture this data and want to help!
There are a few factors that can affect your heart rate reading. The details below will help clarify:
"Many factors can affect the performance of the Apple Watch heart rate sensor. Skin perfusion (or how much blood flows through your skin) is one factor. Skin perfusion varies significantly from person to person and can also be impacted by the environment. If you’re exercising in the cold, for example, the skin perfusion in your wrist might be too low for the heart rate sensor to get a reading.
Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings.
Motion is another factor that can affect the heart rate sensor. Rhythmic movements, such as running or cycling, give better results compared to irregular movements, like tennis or boxing.
If you’re not able to get a consistent reading because of any of these factors, you can connect your Apple Watch wirelessly to external heart rate monitors such as Bluetooth chest straps. Learn how to pair Bluetooth accessories.
Heart rate is one of many factors that Apple Watch uses to measure your activity and exercise. Depending on your workout, it selects the most appropriate inputs for that activity. For example, when you’re running indoors, it also uses the accelerometer. Learn more about how your Apple Watch uses GPS and the heart rate sensor when you use the Workout app."
If the heart rate issues persist, continue with the troubleshooting steps found in the resource below. Be sure to calibrate your Apple Watch as well (found in step 7):
Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch - Apple Support
Feel free to post an update for continued support.
Take care!
Hey there, jonmaryniak!
Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities! If we understand correctly, you're having trouble with the heart rate being measured during a workout. We know it's important for your Apple Watch to capture this data and want to help!
There are a few factors that can affect your heart rate reading. The details below will help clarify:
"Many factors can affect the performance of the Apple Watch heart rate sensor. Skin perfusion (or how much blood flows through your skin) is one factor. Skin perfusion varies significantly from person to person and can also be impacted by the environment. If you’re exercising in the cold, for example, the skin perfusion in your wrist might be too low for the heart rate sensor to get a reading.
Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings.
Motion is another factor that can affect the heart rate sensor. Rhythmic movements, such as running or cycling, give better results compared to irregular movements, like tennis or boxing.
If you’re not able to get a consistent reading because of any of these factors, you can connect your Apple Watch wirelessly to external heart rate monitors such as Bluetooth chest straps. Learn how to pair Bluetooth accessories.
Heart rate is one of many factors that Apple Watch uses to measure your activity and exercise. Depending on your workout, it selects the most appropriate inputs for that activity. For example, when you’re running indoors, it also uses the accelerometer. Learn more about how your Apple Watch uses GPS and the heart rate sensor when you use the Workout app."
If the heart rate issues persist, continue with the troubleshooting steps found in the resource below. Be sure to calibrate your Apple Watch as well (found in step 7):
Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch - Apple Support
Feel free to post an update for continued support.
Take care!
Apple Watch not tracking heart rate for first mile of run
