Irregular Heartbeat Detected
Withings Blood Pressure Monitor
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
Withings blood pressure monitors display an 'Irregular Heartbeat' indicator (a heart with an exclamation mark) when the algorithm detects an irregular pulse pattern during the measurement. This is a screening alert, not a diagnosis. Any repeated irregular heartbeat detection should be discussed with a doctor.
Affected Models
- Withings BPM Connect
- Withings BPM Core
- Withings BPM Wireless
- Withings ScanWatch (ECG)
Common Causes
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) — the most medically significant cause
- Ectopic heartbeats — extra or skipped beats that are usually harmless
- Body movement during the measurement — can mimic an irregular beat
- Deep breathing or coughing during measurement
- Caffeine or exercise shortly before measurement
- Anxiety or stress causing transient irregularity
How to Fix It
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Sit still and measure again.
Irregular readings caused by movement, talking, or breathing irregularly during measurement are common and not medically meaningful. Sit quietly for 5 minutes. Place the cuff correctly (2 cm above the elbow, on bare skin). Sit with your back supported, feet flat, arm at heart level. Do not move, talk, or breathe deeply during the measurement.
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Take 3 readings with 1 minute between each.
Healthcare guidelines recommend taking 3 consecutive readings with 1 minute rest between each. If only one reading shows the irregular heartbeat flag and the others do not, the single reading was likely affected by movement or an isolated ectopic beat.
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Avoid caffeine and exercise before measuring.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks) and exercise within 30 minutes of measurement can affect heart rhythm and blood pressure readings. For consistent and reliable readings, measure at the same time each day — ideally in the morning before coffee, or in the evening at rest.
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Record and share results with your doctor.
The Withings Health Mate app stores all readings with timestamps. If you are seeing frequent irregular heartbeat alerts, export your reading history and share it with your GP or cardiologist. Repeated irregular detection across multiple correct measurements warrants a proper ECG evaluation.
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Seek medical attention if the alert appears frequently.
If the irregular heartbeat indicator appears consistently across multiple correct measurements taken on different days, do not ignore it. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common cause of consistently detected irregular heartbeat. AFib significantly increases stroke risk and is treatable — early detection and medical review are important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be worried if my Withings shows an irregular heartbeat?
A single occasional irregular heartbeat alert, especially if you moved during measurement, is not cause for alarm. If the alert appears consistently across multiple properly-taken measurements on different occasions, book an appointment with your doctor. Withings monitors detect irregular rhythm patterns that may indicate atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is common (affecting 1 in 25 adults over 65) and treatable. The monitor is a screening tool — only a doctor and an ECG can provide an actual diagnosis.