Unofficial archive. This is a read-only, community-run archive of the Apple Support Community. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.

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.