The Apple Watch has an accurate heart rate monitor on board. It is used in a number of interesting ways. In this tip, we’ll show you how to get the most out of it.
Measure Apple Watch heart rate: this is how it works
Since the arrival of the first Apple Watch, the functions of the heart rate monitor have expanded considerably. For example, the Watch can keep you informed if your heart rate is remarkably high, or you can send your heart rate via iMessage. We list all functions below.
1. Measure your heart rate with the Apple Watch
The Apple Watch has a separate Heart Rate app. This uses the sensors on the back of the smart clock to monitor your heart rate during the day. These data are then plotted in a graph, which we will discuss below. By turning the Digital Crown or swiping the screen, you can see separate measurements for your current heart rate, your resting heart rate and your heart rate while walking. As soon as you start an activity via the Workout app, your heart rate is measured continuously.
2. Apple Watch heart rate measurement: set alerts
New in watchOS 4 is a heart rate alert. It works on all Apple Watch models from Series 1, so the first generation Apple Watch is out of the question. As the name implies, the Watch warns you if your heart rate reaches a high level while you are not performing an intensive task. You must first activate this manually in the settings:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone;
- Scroll to ‘Heart rate’;
- Tap on ‘Increased Heart Rate’;
- Set a number.
If you reach this number after ten minutes of inactivity, the Watch taps you on the wrist. While this is not an immediate cause for alarm, it may be worth investigating further.
3. View your average heart rate and detailed statistics
Of course you can see your heart rate on the Watch itself, but there is a lot more data in the Health app. You can view this by following the steps below:
- Open the Health app on your iPhone;
- Choose Data;
- Tap Heart.
In this overview you see the same data as on the Watch, but you can filter by hours, days, weeks, months and years. Scroll further down to see the heart rate variability. This indicates the variation between one heart rate and the next.
4. Send your heart rate via iMessage
Using iMessage (Messages) on your Apple Watch gives you some nice extra features. This way you can send your heart rate to your friends. You do this by composing a new message and choosing the icon with the heart and two fingers.
Then press and hold the screen with two fingers to see a pink heart appear on the screen. Then release to send the message. The receiver will then receive an exact recording of your heart rate at that moment. Romantic!
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