Apple Watch not Accurate

[JosFKirby]

I'm testing the heart rate from apple watch (Series 7) against Cardiac Rehab results and getting poor results. Examples of issues include the watch showing a heart rate of 125 while rehab monitors show 109. At others times, the watch will not display a heart rate, just a question mark.

I've contacted apple support, upgraded the watch as requested, tested different band tensions, and had them perform diagnostics. Their final response was to read me a disclaimer and state that the "watch is working as expected."

Has anyone had better results with the Apple watch?

How about a heart rate monitor strap that is compatible with the Apple watch?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[elMIguel]

Interesting. I have a Series 6 and I've found it to be spot on. I have an indoor rower and at first I was using a Polar HR strap. After 2 months I decided to ditch the Polar because my Apple Watch was mirroring the data I was getting from my heart rate strap. FWIW, I've noticed that if my watch strap is too loose, my results are not accurate.

 

[skier]

A heart rate strap is going to be more accurate than a watch on the wrist. Both will have some errors, but a watch will frequently be inaccurate when moving, while a strap will be correct most of the time.

Whichever you use, it's good to get familiar with your heart rate based on RPE and measuring your pulse on your neck so you can ignore spurious readings from your heart rate monitor.