Archive. This is an archive of the Apple Support Community. Discussions are being restored and soon you will be able to read and post here again.

Ridiculously high heart rate whilst running

I have recently had an issue with reported heart rate whilst running. At times I get a 190+ BPM which considering I am 68 would kill me. It seems that there is a conflict between my airpods pro 3 and apple watch ultra 2. When only one is the source I get a more normal ~130 BPM when running. ne else had this issue? Or any thoughts on resolution?

2 replies

Hi there please try this


  • go to Heart Rate > Data Sources & Access) to see which device or app is taking priority during workouts.
  • Tighten or Reposition the Watch: Wear your Apple Watch Ultra 2 snugly about a finger-width above your wrist bone so sweat or arm swing doesn't cause optical bouncing.
  • Test with a Chest Strap: If you want reliable data while running at age 68, consider using a Bluetooth/ANT+ chest strap heart rate monitor (like a Polar or Garmin HRM) paired directly to your watch, which bypasses wrist optical glitches and cadence lock.
  • Consult a Doctor: If you ever experience true symptoms alongside a high reading such as chest pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, or breathlessness that doesn't match the effort stop exercising and seek medical evaluation promptly. 


Thanks for the reply.I have tried options 1 & 2. It seems that there is something conflicting about the data source, in that it was showing that the source was my watch and yet when I disconnected my AirPods it then immediately showed a more realistic reading.

I am considering 3 and 4.