How to retrieve ECG data from Apple Watch?

How do i retrieve my heart rate data from 2 days ago?

I had a seriously worrying 15 minute long heart flutter (120-130 BPM and my usual resting is 65-70!). I was alone in my garage and immediately called up ECG on my watch pressing the dial. The chart was incredible to watch - all over the place. I thought maybe my finger wasn’t resting on it properly and tried again - same result.

Interestingly both ECG results looked comparable in their dramatic display. The watch actually displayed a message to say the result was so … I can’t remember the exact words … something like unintelligible … or possibly it said something about interference … (?)

I have to say though that Apple should have a button next to the results for moments like this that allow us to add ‘palpitations’ or ‘irregular heart rate’ or something - and maybe collectively it would be useful?

I’m now convinced I probably need to see someone. But how do I retrieve the ECG?

Posted on Jan 12, 2026 12:35 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 12, 2026 1:31 PM

Check first with your primary care provider or with your cardiologist.


To find the previously-recorded cardiac rhythms, enter “heart” or “electrocardiogram” in the Health app search box.


Lead 1 (also known as L1, but not V1) cardiac monitoring misses a whole lot of what can happen within the electrical activity of the heart. Technical positioning details: https://litfl.com/ecg-lead-positioning/


Causes of artifact and of arrhythmias in ECGs include problems with monitoring connections, muscle activity (in this case, anywhere in your fingers and arms and chest) (the path from right arm RA to left arm LA), skin moisture, metabolic issues, and movement, as well as problems with the monitoring equipment (the watch, here). Or, potentially, cardiac problems.


Most medical monitoring happens with the electrodes placed closer in on the chest, due in no small part to the electrical noise that can arise from placement further out on the arms and legs.


Again, check with your primary care provider, or your cardiologist.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 12, 2026 1:31 PM in response to Levellingser

Check first with your primary care provider or with your cardiologist.


To find the previously-recorded cardiac rhythms, enter “heart” or “electrocardiogram” in the Health app search box.


Lead 1 (also known as L1, but not V1) cardiac monitoring misses a whole lot of what can happen within the electrical activity of the heart. Technical positioning details: https://litfl.com/ecg-lead-positioning/


Causes of artifact and of arrhythmias in ECGs include problems with monitoring connections, muscle activity (in this case, anywhere in your fingers and arms and chest) (the path from right arm RA to left arm LA), skin moisture, metabolic issues, and movement, as well as problems with the monitoring equipment (the watch, here). Or, potentially, cardiac problems.


Most medical monitoring happens with the electrodes placed closer in on the chest, due in no small part to the electrical noise that can arise from placement further out on the arms and legs.


Again, check with your primary care provider, or your cardiologist.

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How to retrieve ECG data from Apple Watch?

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