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Helpful answers
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Feb 17, 2016 7:55 AM in response to almatroodby sterling r,Hi there almatrood,
It sounds like you are concerned that the Apple Watch might not be reading your heart rate accurately, and you have verified that you get the same results with a different watch altogether. I would recommend taking reading this info from the following article since there can be many factors that can affect this:
Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it.
For best results, start with a good fit.
Even under ideal conditions, Apple Watch may not be able to get a reliable heart rate reading every time for everybody. And for a small percentage of users, various factors may make it impossible to get any heart rate reading at all. But there are things you can do to help Apple Watch get the most consistent and best heart rate readings possible.
Too loose.
If your Apple Watch doesn’t stay in place, or the sensors aren’t reading your heart rate, tighten the band a bit.
Just right.
Your Apple Watch should be snug but comfortable.
What else affects your reading?
Many factors can affect the performance of the Apple Watch heart rate sensor. Skin perfusion is one. A fancy way of describing how much blood flows through your skin, 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 may be too low for the heart rate sensor to get a reading.
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.
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.
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.
Heart rate is just 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. When you’re cycling outdoors, it uses the GPS in your iPhone. And even when you’re not in a dedicated workout, it tracks how much you move each day. So Apple Watch can give you the information — and the motivation — to improve your fitness and your health.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
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Feb 17, 2016 9:47 PM in response to sterling rby almatrood,Many thanks for your replay. I can understand the inaccuracy of the apple watch in reading the heart rate in some conditions. but what is strange is why it still gives a reading if you take it out of your hand. try putting the apple watch in a table no direct contact with your skin. it will continue gives a reading.
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Feb 17, 2016 11:01 PM in response to almatroodby Meg St._Clair,almatrood wrote:
Many thanks for your replay. I can understand the inaccuracy of the apple watch in reading the heart rate in some conditions. but what is strange is why it still gives a reading if you take it out of your hand. try putting the apple watch in a table no direct contact with your skin. it will continue gives a reading.
That would seem to indicate there is a problem with your watch. It shouldn't do that. Try resetting your watch by pressing and holding both the side button and the Digital Crown until the apple appears on the screen. If you still see the behavior after that, consider making an appointment at the Genius Bar to have you watch evaluated.


