Fitbit heart rate thingy

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Does anyone use a Fitbit that has a heart rate display? I notice mine sometimes jumps around wildly and wondered how accurate it is? My resting heart rate is always in the 60s, but just now I happened to glance at my wrist as I switched the kettle on and it had jumped to 122 - now I have just sat down with my tea it’s 75. We don’t have a huge house and I didn’t climb any stairs to the kitchen! Usually a walk registers an average BPM of about 105ish if I look at the app, and I was conscious I was really anxious before a work meeting earlier and aware of my heart beating faster at the beginning of that. (Meeting was fine, as it happens, but I had got myself into a bit of a tizz beforehand.)

I feel like I am getting a cold if that makes any odds.

Count it manually and compare.

They aren’t 100% accurate, 80 odd % accurate in some tests.
Below article is about other devices and features but does mention Fitbit. I’ve had people attend for BP checks then proudly tell me their BP as per their device. The manual BP I’ve taken is similar to their previous BP checks on record, while the reading their device gives is totally different, yet they would rather believe their device.

www.cnet.com/features/fitbit-apple-know-smartwatches-arent-medical-devices-but-do-you/

I use an Apple Watch. Yes, it can jump around. But when I had Covid I had a noticeable spike in resting heart rate and others have noticed this also. If you feel you are getting a cold then you might want to do a LTF.

Thanks @CurtalingChaos - that is interesting. I think it just went rogue a bit! @CovidCurious I did LF today and yesterday and they were both negative. I have long term sinus/allergy issues and it was maybe just a wee flare up as I feel fine today.

They can be useful in tracking trends.

My Dsis could show her resting heart rate climbing over a couple of weeks to the Doctor in A&E, after she had a funny turn. It showed it wasn't normal to be over 100.

This meant they were able to push for the right tests and she was diagnosed with multiple immune diseases.

As a one off, not terribly accurate!

@DooDahDah I hope your sister is okay now? In terms of trends I notice my resting heart rate is 61/62 in holidays, but 66/67 during work weeks. I teach so have a lot of holiday weeks, and a lot of stress!

They aren't always accurate and if you get anxious about it, that will also effect the results.