Apple Watch Ultra Heart Rate During Workout

I’m finally seeing an improvement on my Apple Watch 4, before going for a run moving the watch slightly further up my arm is now recording heart rate all the way. If I don’t, it only records from about 5 minutes in. I still think this is software related as this wasn’t an issue before December

aNonNuhMus wrote:

I now launch that app before every workout, and I haven’t had the issue since.

this is frustrating because it sounds a lot like a software problem. I know many people pay the premium price on apple stuff because it’s supposed to “just work”…

For me launching the heartrate app beforehand didn't make a difference.

The trick to set workouts to precision start, and when running first start the workout, wait for GPS and heart rate to settle, and then start, makes the problem occur less for me. But still doesn't completely fix it.

Ran an official half marathon a few weeks ago. 9°C. Started the workout app when the HM started (and having to wait until my slot of people started running), then started the workout. Still, first 8 minutes NO reading, then 3 minutes an incredible high reading (not my normal HR), then suddenly a drop in hear rate (though running the same pace) and afterwards everything seemed to be fine.

I hope it is a software issue (and that it can be fixed) and not a hardware issue.

Germany’s leading IT magazine has now picked up this issue:

https://www.heise.de/news/Apple-Watch-Ultra-Erhebliche-Probleme-bei-Herzfrequenzmessung-moeglich-9196733.html

It was interesting to read that they saw the issue on some of their Ultras but not all (2 of 4):

The same person wearing one Ultra experienced the issue, whereas it didn’t occur when the same person was wearing a different one.

That’s a strong indicator that it is a hardware issue 😮

@Apple, anything?

im having same issues. Works fine at start of run then 5min into the run the readings stop and magically comes back randomly later. Very disappointed as you can imagine for such a high end Apple Watch. I do believe it’s a software bug and not the hardware sensor doing the reading. I have a feeling it’s to do with the heart rate zone transitions at beginning of runs being steep. One area I played around with and found some progress was to change the workout heart rate zones from auto to manual and just have one zone covering the whole range and check results. I think this will fix it

I’m guessing it’s just how the hardware interacts with you and a different watch won’t help. I also wear a garmin for the chest strap, as the optical sensor doesn’t work well with me. Same with the garmin one in fact. Maybe some body types just don’t work as well - I have tiny wrists, a hard to find pulse compared to others, and Caucasian. Maybe any/all those factors play a role - but I don’t think a hardware swap will help.

I was happy when optical HR came out years ago, but it’s never worked well for me regardless of garmin or Apple.

There is clearly something wrong with the Ultra in this respect. There’s a big thread on MacRumours about this too:

my AW7 never, ever did this so the whole ‘blah blah… heat… blah… blood-vessels… blah blah… you’re wearing it wrong’ is just guff.

I use a Polar chest HR monitor now but slightly miffed I had to spend another £50 and then have to remember to put it on, and clean it after each run. On the macrumours thread someone claims an Apple tech said they were aware of the issue and trying to sort it, but not sure how true that is. It does sour my Ultra experience though, as I love it otherwise, but it’s not fit for purpose if it can’t check your HR on a run.

[Edited by Moderator]

I’ve done another run with a new sports watch strap from Nomad and it tracked my heart all round my run. So I can only imagine as it’s a lot stiffer and less movement on my wrist…? It picks up my heart rate better.

I have had this problem from the beginning. My old Apple Watch S4 never suffered from this.

I can only put it down to the fact that the Ultra is much bulkier and heavier than the standard version.

I now do all my runs with a chest strap which works perfectly every time. This is the only guaranteed fix I can suggest.

Those photos don't indicate if the Watch was on Low Power mode and the Take Fewer gps and HR readings was turned on.

Use Low Power Mode on your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)

As someone suggested, I moved my ultra a half inch above my wrist bone (it was right at the bone) and made it a little tighter. I've 3 50 min. elliptical workouts and no problems.

If I wear the watch normally I have the problem, but if I wear it inside the wrist everything works fine. So it's not a hardware problem.

Mine happened for quite some time and they replaced a new ultra for me and same problem still surface, unless I wear it face inward

No, it’s not resolve and I’m sure it’s a hardware issue. However, when I wear the watch face facing inside, I will not face any issue, as mentioned by someone on this forum. The issue (stop measuring heart rate for some time or high heart rate above 200) will only surface when I wear the watch normally facing outside during run.

Hi!

I have been doing some tests, and I think it is something related to the movement or the position of the watch on the wrist.

In screenshot 1 you can see a simulated activity this morning, I was working with my computer on my desk. The heart rate reading is perfect and continuous.

In Screenshot 2, I went for an outdoor run 3 hours later and you can see that the readings is super poor, around 15-20%.

Same watch, same wrist, same day, same config, the only difference is that in the #1 I was still on the same position and in #2 I was running.

In screenshot 3 you can see the readings of other day that I went to walk (so slow speed), and the watch capture readings in around 75% of all the time.

I guess the problem is something related with that the movement of the watch on the wrist impacts on the Heart Rate readings.

I have a small-thin wrist and I'm using Alpine Loop Band (and I tried to loose it and tighten it)

Have you tried it?