What Does High Heart Rate Mean on a Fitbit ECG?

Fitbit is one of the more recent smartwatch companies to develop an ECG app for their watches. While this feature is surprisingly accurate in measuring your heart rate and rhythm, it's lacking in other key areas. For example, you may have recently run an ECG test with your Fitbit and received an Inconclusive: High Heart Rate result.

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From everything you've read and heard, a high heart rate means that your heart is beating too fast and there's something wrong. Before you jump to the worst-case scenario, however, many other possible reasons could explain your high heart rate.
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What Does a High Heart Rate Result Mean on My Fitbit ECG?

First and foremost, a High Heart Rate result on your Fitbit ECG might not mean anything. It means your heart rate is beating above 120 times per minute, which is faster than normal. There are many reasons your heart may be beating faster than normal.

• You recently exercised or worked out
• You're on drugs or medications that speed up your heart rate
• Dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance
• You recently consumed alcohol
• You have an infection
• You have a heart arrhythmia
• You're in Afib

Should I be Worried if My Fitbit ECG Indicates a High Heart Rate?

As you can see, a High Heart Rate result can be of cause for concern, or it can mean nothing. You might be thinking that if you're in Afib, wouldn't your Fitbit ECG result say so? Unfortunately, one of the limitations of the Fitbit watch ECG algorithm is that it won't show Afib as your result if your heart rate is higher than 120. Therefore, if the result says High Heart Rate, you could be in Afib or one of the other 30+ forms of arrhythmias detectable from a smartwatch ECG, but your watch cannot detect it.

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What Should I do Next?

You have several options for your next step, but panicking isn't one of them. Assuming you’ve already contacted your healthcare provider or considered going to the ER, try taking an ECG under the best conditions to rule out other possible causes of the High Heart Rate result:

1. Keep your arms perfectly still and resting on a table.
2. Only wear your watch on the wrist you specified when you first set the watch up.
3. Don't take the ECG right after a workout or when you're stressed.
4. Don't drink coffee or take medications before your ECG.
5. Make sure the watch is nice and snug around your wrist and not loose.

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If you still have a High Heart Rate results along with heart symptoms, call your doctor immediately. High heart rates are linked to several serious conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and various forms of Afib, requiring immediate medical attention.

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If you're not experiencing any symptoms of Afib, another option you have is to try interpreting your own ECG.
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How Can QALY Help With a High Heart Rate Reading?

If you're going crazy with your ECG results but don't think anything's wrong with your heart, QALY can help. Send us your ECG results, and our cardiographic technicians will review them within minutes for Afib, SVT, and 30+ other arrhythmias. Sending your Fitbit ECG results is simple. Try QALY for free today.

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