Heart rate measurements on my HUAWEI wearable device are inaccurate

Your heart rate is measured with the optical heart rate sensor on the back of your wearable device, which measures the blood flow changes in your wrist by emitting light on your skin, and receiving how much light is reflected back.

1. Wear your watch/band in a correct manner.

   

   1. Wear the device with the screen facing upwards.
   2. Wear the device one-finger width above your wrist bone.
   3. Do not wear the device too tightly or loosely, to ensure a comfortable fit and ensure that the sensor works as normal. If the skin under the device moves when you move the device, this indicates the right tightness.
   4. Ensure that your wrist does not shake during a heart rate measurement. Otherwise, the receiving of optical signals by the sensor will be affected, resulting in inaccurate heart rate measurements.
   5. If you are interested in fitness and exercise frequently, it is recommended that you use a soft rubber strap (fluoroelastomer, silicone, or TPU). This can ensure optimal contact between your wearable device and your wrist, to achieve optimal performance when using the optical heart rate sensor.
2. Update to the latest versions.

   Newer versions deliver more precise heart rate data. Please update your wearable device and the Huawei Health app to their latest versions at your earliest convenience.

3. Select the correct workout type.
   • Select the same type of workout as the one you are engaged in. The heart rate calculation method varies for each workout type and is most accurate when the workout type matches your actual workout.
   • Workouts involving wrist-bending actions, such as jump roping, strength training, push-ups, weightlifting, and racket sports, may compress blood vessels, affecting the accuracy of the heart rate sensor. You can wear your watch slightly above your wrist, or use a heart rate strap during these workouts.
    

   • The displayed data may change significantly after you complete a workout. This is because your heart rate tends to decrease significantly in this scenario, which is normal and does not indicate any issue with your wearable device.
   • If your heart rate data fluctuates significantly during a workout, pause the workout, adjust the watch to fit snugly on your wrist (one finger width above your wrist bone), and then resume the workout. This will ensure more accurate monitoring results.
4. Make sure that the optical heart rate sensor is clean.

   Optical heart rate sensors are susceptible to stains (such as sunscreen, lotion, insect repellent, and sweat). It is recommended that you wipe the optical heart rate sensor area with a soft cloth with warm water and moisture after workouts. Make sure the sensor is completely dry before wearing your device. For more information on cleaning and maintenance, please refer to Cleaning and maintenance guide for wearables.

5. Winter or low-temperature scenarios

   When the temperature is lower than 15°C, the capillaries on your wrist narrow, which may lead to reduced blood flow in the back of your wrist. This may occur in the early stages of workouts when the blood flow is low, making it hard for the heart rate sensor to obtain valid data. It is recommended that you warm up for about 10 minutes before starting a workout. You can also use a heart rate strap in this scenario for optimally accuracy if needed.

6. Restart your watch.

   If the heart rate measurement is inaccurate, restart your watch and check whether the issue is resolved. You can also restart your watch once a week to ensure smooth running.

1. Wear your watch/band in a correct manner.

   For details about how to wear your watch/band properly, see the Inaccurate measurements during workouts (Wear your watch/band in a correct manner.) section.

2. Enable Continuous heart rate monitoring.

   For optimally accurate heart rate data, go to Health monitoring in the Huawei Health app, enable Continuous heart rate monitoring, and enable Real-time mode. (If your wearable device does not support Continuous heart rate monitoring in Real-time mode, it will measure your heart rate periodically based on your activity.)

   

3. Physical condition

   The sensor may fail to receive the reflected light if your fitness level is low, or you suffer from a weak heartbeat, clogged blood vessels, or heart disease. As a result, the heart rate data display may be abnormal, or inaccurate heart rate measurements may occur. It is recommended that you tighten the strap or use a medical device to conduct heart rate measurements.

4. Body features

   The light may fail to reach the sensor if there are tattoos, scars, or a lot of hair on your wrist. As a result, inaccurate heart rate measurements may occur. For optimal performance, wear the watch on an arm without tattoos or scars.

1. Different measurement principles: Wearable devices use optical signals to monitor pulses, and these signals are affected by such factors as external ambient light and slight arm movements, whereas medical devices use an arterial pressure meter (sphygmomanometer) and ECG (gold standard) for measurements. Therefore, the results may differ.
2. Different measurement periods: Wearable devices display measurement results in real time, whereas medical devices take an average value per minute. Therefore, the results may differ. You can calculate an average one-minute heart rate value based on the data obtained by your wearable device, and then compare it with that from a medical device.

If you feel unwell, you are advised to you seek medical assistance in a timely manner.

Cause: When you are wearing two wearable devices at the same time, the optical sensors (PPG) are used for heart rate monitoring. If the wearable devices are too close to each other, the light from the sensors may interfere with each other (optical crosstalk). As a result, the signal collection is abnormal and the data is inaccurate.

Suggestion: Wear the devices on your left and right wrists respectively, and ensure that their back covers are closely attached to your skin (for details, see the wearing criteria). After wearing the devices, it is recommended that you warm up for 5 to 10 minutes and wait until your heart rate becomes stable before comparing the data.

If the issue persists, take your device and proof of purchase to a nearby Huawei Customer Service Center for assistance.