Resting heart rate accuracy

Hi

Apple advises that, even under ideal conditions, Apple Watch may not be able to record a reliable heart rate reading every time for everybody.

For the best performance from the heart rate sensor during workouts, ensure that you wear your watch snugly (but not too tightly) on the top of your wrist. Apple suggests that you consider tightening the band before starting a workout and loosening it again afterwards:

Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

Other issues that can impact sensor performance include skin perfusion and wrist tattoos.

If you experience issues with recording your heart rate during workouts, then, for more consistent readings, you may wish to consider pairing an external heart rate monitor / Bluetooth chest strap to your watch:

Use Bluetooth accessories with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If you are concerned about a possible hardware defect, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support again (mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider for assistance:

Apple Watch Service Answer Center - Apple Support

I have had the Apple Watch Series 2 since October 2016. The heart rate accuracy is great during everyday activities (i.e. 45-65 bpm). However, during a treadmill run where my heart rate is elevated (90-130 bpm) the accuracy is a consistent failure (readings 159-215 bpm). I have contacted product support regarding this issue. Their response is that these results are consistent with other users and for others the heart rate tracking NEVER works...AND THIS IS ACCEPTABLE FOR APPLE. Really frustrating!! No remedy from Apple, just stonewalling the acceptance of Heart Rate failure during exercise. And Tim Cook said the focus of Apple Watch is 'Health & Fitness'. Other aspects of Apple Watch Series 2 work beautifully (i.e. notifications, music, display quality, comfort level).

Hi

Consumer Reports tested the Apple Watch heart rate sensor against their highest-rated dedicated heart rate monitor and found "no significant differences" between their readings:

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/04/27/apple-watch-performs-well-in-consumer-re ports-tests/

However, note that Apple Watch, the heart rate sensor and the included apps are not medical devices and are intended for fitness purposes only. They are not designed or intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

More information:

Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

https://help.apple.com/watch/#/apdcf2ff54e9

By resting heart rate, do you mean first thing in the morning before you get out of bed? If so, the fact that you have to take the watch off the charger, strap it on, wait for it to read might not make it the ideal device for that. You'll probably have raised your HR several beats by the time you're done. I much prefer my Jawbone UP3 for that (yeah, I have a wearable on each wrist).

Do you also want a watch? It just seems as if that's an awful lot of money to spend if that's the only thing you want it for. Look at an app like Instant Heartrate which uses your phone's camera. I used if for a couple of years before the Watch came out for recording my HR first thing in the morning.

No-one has experience of the Series 2 device yet - it's not available until next week.

Jonathan's reply describes accurately the current watch.

Bob Bracalente wrote:

.. Hopefully the battery life exceeds one day of wear? ..

In tests, Apple achieved 18 hours of battery life based on an overnight charge followed by: 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use and a 30-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth, over the course of 18 hours.

You may find it convenient to charge your watch nightly, overnight. Charging stops automatically when the battery is fully charged and will resume if and when required due to ongoing battery usage.

You may also wish to use Nightstand mode. When charging your watch overnight, this enables it to be used as a bedside clock with optional alarm.

More information:

http://www.apple.com/watch/battery.html

Use Nightstand mode on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Bob Bracalente wrote:

By resting heart rate, I mean...my heart rate at rest. As in sitting still. That's a thing these days. Why would I take it off at night, anyway? Hopefully the battery life exceeds one day of wear?

Not generally. Some people who use their watch for sleep tracking will charge it up in the evening, before bed. It only takes a couple of hours.

"Resting Heart Rate" can have a specific meaning so I was just checking on that.

Bob Bracalente wrote:

Hopefully the battery life exceeds one day of wear?

My personal experience in the 16 months or so that I've used the Watch is that 18 hours is about right. If you want to wear the watch overnight to trace heart rate while sleeping, you should assume that you'll have to charge it for a while before you go to bed. Watch charging doesn't take very long.

Nothing in the information available on Series 2 indicates that battery life is substantially longer; such indications as there are (not many and not necessarily reliable) suggest it's about the same.

nick101 wrote:

.. such indications as there are (not many and not necessarily reliable) ..

The battery life results referenced in my earlier reply were performed by Apple using Apple Watch Series 2, Series 1 and Edition preproduction models.

Jonathan UK wrote:

nick101 wrote:

.. such indications as there are (not many and not necessarily reliable) ..

The battery life results referenced in my earlier reply were performed by Apple using Apple Watch Series 2, Series 1 and Edition preproduction models.

Yes, I know that, because I can read.

However, as you know, individual experiences vary widely, whatever any manufacturer finds in formal testing. I find it very useful to get feedback from people who have actually used the devices themselves, and I would like to think that the OP would appreciate it too.

Otherwise, a forum set up for users to exchange their experiences and knowledge comes nothing more than a list of links to support articles. Such links have value in themselves, of course, but they do not represent user to user experience.

nick101 wrote:

Yes, I know that, because I can read.

My reply was not addressed to you.

nick101 wrote:

.. I find it very useful to get feedback from people who have actually used the devices themselves, and I would like to think that the OP would appreciate it too. ..

The question concerns the "new apple watch".

No users yet have any experience of having "actually used" Apple Watch Series 1, Series 2 or the new Edition model.

I replied to the OP. You replied to me. I replied to you.

You do good work here, but I've never been able to understand why it is that you're so concerned to take issue with other contributors. However, dealing with that seems to have become the price of doing business here.

Jonathan UK wrote:

".

No users yet have any experience of having "actually used" Apple Watch Series 1, Series 2 or the new Edition model.

I already noted that no-one has experience of the Series 2 - does that mean you shouldn't have posted this? Or do different rules apply to you?