Random HR Spikes on Apple Watch - what's going on???

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Random HR Spikes on Apple Watch - what's going on???

This is stressing me out to the point that I don't even want to wear the watch anymore. What is going on? This usually happens during an easy rowing workout. I'm rowing along at a steady pace with my HR about 115-120 then I will glance at my watch and see 159 (it always seems to be 159) which scares the crap out of me. I'll stop rowing and it is immediately back down to 115+/- I KNOW my HR isn't that high, I'd feel something if it was, but it still scares me (I'm 60 yo, so 160 is my max HR.) When I later look at the graph it will look like this with just an unconnected dot indicating the HR spike, while the rest of the workout is steady.

I don't want to make an appt with a doctor just to say "my Apple Watch is freaking me out!" if it is indeed a glitch with the watch.

What is going on?

Posted on Apr 13, 2023 7:32 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

javaliga

Level 10

120,379 points

Apr 13, 2023 7:38 PM in response to JustaQuestionasfkljh

See the 'What else affects your heart rate reading' section in:

Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Many factors can affect the performance of the Apple Watch heart rate sensor. If you’re not able to get a consistent reading, you can connect your Apple Watch wirelessly to external heart rate monitors such as Bluetooth chest straps. Learn how to pair Bluetooth accessories.

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Answer 2

Branta_uk

Level 7

33,058 points

Apr 14, 2023 12:50 AM in response to JustaQuestionasfkljh

My first guess would be you need to check and adjust the fit of your watch band. It might need to be one notch tighter than your regular fit to compensate the more energetic arm movements. We know a loose fit which allows the watch to move on the wearer's arm can sometimes generate abnormally high heart rate counts. You can even demonstrate this in testing while sitting in your armchair, just jiggle the watch around on your wrist and see the error counts start to appear.

Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Apr 13, 2023 7:46 PM in response to javaliga

I'm not going to wear a chest HR monitor, I'd rather just ditch it and wear none at all. The Apple watch was supposed to a helpful device, not one that causes me more stress.

Anyway, my question was IS THIS ACCURATE or is this a glitch? If my HR really did jump up from 120 to 159 for a few seconds and then back again, then something serious might be wrong with me.

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Answer 4

Apr 14, 2023 5:25 AM in response to Branta_uk

I wish it was that simple, but I wear it quite snug - even leaves indentations on my wrist when I take it off!

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Random HR Spikes on Apple Watch - what's going on???

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