What Poor Recording ECG Means on Your Apple Watch

Key Takeaways

Breathe. Smile. Laugh. An Apple Watch ECG Poor Recording typically isn't a cause for concern.
To start, we'll show you how to take ECGs from your Apple Watch that are less likely to result in Poor Recording.
Movement of your wrist while taking an ECG on your Apple Watch is the most common cause of a Poor Recording ECG.

Breathe. Smile. Laugh. An Apple Watch ECG Poor Recording typically isn't a cause for concern.
To start, we'll show you how to take ECGs from your Apple Watch that are less likely to result in Poor Recording.
Movement of your wrist while taking an ECG on your Apple Watch is the most common cause of a Poor Recording ECG.

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Got other questions on your Apple Watch? See the complete set of Qaly guides on Apple Watch:

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Introduction

The Poor Recording Apple Watch ECG result is one of the most frustrating experiences when monitoring your heart health. In your frustration, you might be wondering, "What does Poor Recording mean on my Apple Watch ECG?" Or you might be thinking, "Why does my Apple Watch ECG keep saying Poor Recording?" In this guide, we'll help answer these questions, and we'll share some tips on how to take ECGs that don't result in a Poor Recording. Let's dive in.

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What Does Poor Recording Mean on My Apple Watch ECG?

Simple put, a Poor Recording ECG result means that the signal generated by your Apple Watch ECG sensor is so noisy that the algorithms in your Apple Watch can't make sense of it. It's like trying to watch your favorite YouTube video when the Internet is slow. The video gets all fuzzy, and you can't see it properly. It's frustrating just thinking about it.

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So How Do I Avoid a Poor Recording ECG?

1. Get comfortable and relax.

If you take your ECG when your arms are shaking or moving, it can lead to a Poor Recording ECG. Sit down. Take three, long, deep breaths. Place your arms flat on a table or flat in your lap in order to minimize movement. Now, try taking another ECG.

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2. Make sure your Apple Watch fits snuggly.

Your ECG's signal quality is low when your Apple Watch is so loose that it doesn't touch your skin. Fasten your Apple Watch so that it's both snug on your wrist, and so that the back of the watch is touching your skin. Once you feel your Apple Watch fitting snuggly, try taking another ECG.

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3. Keep your wrist and Apple Watch clean and dry.

Your sweat can interfere with the signal quality of your ECG. First, take off your Apple Watch. Then, dry the area where you normally wear your Apple Watch (for most people, this is your wrist, but for the curious or adventurous this could be your chest or ankle). Next, dry the finger you use to place on the crown of the Apple Watch to start your ECG. Last, dry your watch's crown and the back of your watch to clean all of the sensors involved in taking your ECG. You're now ready to strap your Apple Watch back on and take another ECG.

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4. Check your wrist orientation setting.

If you take your ECG on the "wrong" wrist, it can confuse your Apple Watch. On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > Orientation. See which wrist you've selected in the Orientation setting. Then, confirm that your Apple Watch is strapped onto that same wrist of yours. ECG time!

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5. Distance yourself from other electronics.

If you have electronic devices nearby that are plugged into an outlet, it can cause electrical interference with your ECG. If you can, try moving away from any electronic devices that are plugged into an outlet. Once you've moved away, try taking another ECG.

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Conclusion

Well, that just about wraps up our guide on what a Poor Recording ECG means on your Apple Watch. We hope this could be of some help to you.

If you're still getting Poor Recording ECGs or if you need help interpreting your Poor Recording ECGs, don't worry, we understand how frustrating and confusing it can be to experience them. That's why we created the Qaly app for you and for the hundreds of millions of people around the world who experience irregular heartbeats and abnormal heart rhythms. On the Qaly app, human experts will interpret your Apple Watch ECGs within minutes for clarity and peace of mind.

To get started with the Qaly app for free, grab the Qaly app from the App Store or Play Store today. If you have any more questions, or if you need our help in any other way, don't hesitate to reach out to us at support@qaly.co.

As always from the team at Qaly, stay heart healthy ❤️

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