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Wrist Heart Rate

Your watch has a wrist-based heart rate monitor, and you can view your heart rate data on the heart rate glance (Viewing Glances).

The watch is also compatible with chest heart rate monitors. If both wrist-based heart rate and chest heart rate data are available when you start an activity, your watch uses the chest heart rate data.

Wearing the Watch

CAUTION

Some users may experience skin irritation after prolonged use of the watch, especially if the user has sensitive skin or allergies. If you notice any skin irritation, remove the watch and give your skin time to heal. To help prevent skin irritation, ensure the watch is clean and dry, and do not overtighten the watch on your wrist. For more information, go to garmin.com/fitandcare.

  • Wear the watch above your wrist bone.
    NOTE: The watch should be snug but comfortable. For more accurate heart rate readings, the watch should not shift while running or exercising. For pulse oximeter readings, you should remain motionless.

    Placement of the watch on the wrist
    NOTE: While diving, the watch should stay in contact with your skin, and it should not bump into other wrist-worn devices.
    NOTE: The optical sensor is located on the back of the watch.
  • See Tips for Erratic Heart Rate Data for more information about wrist-based heart rate.
  • See Tips for Erratic Pulse Oximeter Data for more information about the pulse oximeter sensor.
  • For more information about accuracy, go to garmin.com/ataccuracy.
  • For more information about watch wear and care, go to garmin.com/fitandcare.

Tips for Erratic Heart Rate Data

If the heart rate data is erratic or does not appear, you can try these tips. For more information on your heart rate sensor, go to garmin.com/heartrate.

  • Clean and dry your arm before putting on the watch.
  • Avoid wearing sunscreen, lotion, and insect repellent under the watch.
  • Avoid scratching the heart rate sensor on the back of the watch.
  • Wear the watch above your wrist bone. The watch should be snug but comfortable.
  • Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes and get a heart rate reading before starting your activity.
    NOTE: In cold environments, warm up indoors.
  • Rinse the watch with fresh water after each workout.
  • While exercising, use a silicone or nylon band.

Wrist Heart Rate Monitor Settings

From the watch face, hold Middle-left button, and select Watch Settings > Health & Wellness > Wrist Heart Rate.

Status

Enables the wrist heart rate monitor. The default value is Auto, which automatically uses the wrist heart rate monitor unless you pair an external heart rate monitor.

NOTE: Disabling the wrist heart rate monitor also disables the wrist-based pulse oximeter sensor. You can perform a manual reading from the pulse oximeter glance.
Source Switching

Selects the best source of heart rate data when wearing your watch and an external heart rate monitor. For more information, go to www.garmin.com/dynamicsourceswitching/.

Broadcast Heart Rate

Broadcasts your heart rate data to a paired device (Broadcasting Heart Rate Data).

Broadcasting Heart Rate Data

You can broadcast your heart rate data from your watch and view it on paired devices. Broadcasting heart rate data decreases battery life.

TIP: You can customize the activity settings to broadcast your heart rate data automatically when you begin an activity (Activity Settings). For example, you can broadcast your heart rate data to an Edge® bike computer while cycling.
NOTE: Broadcasting heart rate data is not available for dive activities.
  1. Select an option:

    • Hold Middle-left button, and select Watch Settings > Health & Wellness > Wrist Heart Rate > Broadcast Heart Rate.

    • Hold Upper-left button to open the controls menu, and select Broadcast heart rate data.

      NOTE: You can add options to the controls menu (Customizing the Controls Menu).
  2. Press Upper-right button.

    The watch starts broadcasting your heart rate data.

  3. Pair your watch with your compatible device.
    NOTE: The pairing instructions differ for each Garmin® compatible device. See your owner's manual.
  4. Press Upper-right button to stop broadcasting your heart rate data.
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August 2026
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