Your Apple Watch can alert you when your heart rate stays unusually high while you seem to be resting. The alert fires when your heart rate stays above a threshold you choose for about 10 minutes of inactivity. If the alerts come too often (or you want them to be more sensitive), you can change the threshold or turn them off. This guide shows how on your iPhone and on the watch, plus the related low heart rate and irregular rhythm notifications.
Quick Answer
On your iPhone, open the Watch app, tap My Watch > Heart > High Heart Rate, and choose a threshold from 100 to 150 BPM, or Off. On the watch itself, go to Settings > Heart > High Heart Rate.
Change the High Heart Rate Notification on iPhone
- Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Tap the My Watch tab.
- Tap Heart.
- Tap High Heart Rate.
- Choose a threshold: 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 or 150 BPM, or choose Off.
Change It on the Apple Watch
- Press the Digital Crown and open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Heart.
- Tap High Heart Rate and choose a threshold or Off.
How the Notification Works
- The watch checks your heart rate in the background. If it stays above your threshold while you appear to have been inactive for about 10 minutes, you get a notification.
- It doesn’t trigger during workouts or when you’re clearly moving.
- Tap the notification to see the reading. All alerts are saved in the Health app under Browse > Heart > High Heart Rate Notifications.
- Wear the watch snugly on top of your wrist for accurate readings. Loose bands, tattoos and cold skin can affect the sensor.
Choosing a Threshold
A normal resting heart rate for adults is usually about 60–100 BPM, and many people choose 120 BPM so they’re alerted only to clearly elevated readings. Caffeine, stress, fever, dehydration and some medications can raise your heart rate. If your doctor has given you a target, use that. If you get frequent notifications and don’t know why, talk to a healthcare professional rather than simply turning them off.
Low Heart Rate and Irregular Rhythm Notifications
- Low Heart Rate: Watch app > Heart > Low Heart Rate alerts you if your heart rate stays below 40–50 BPM (your choice) for about 10 minutes.
- Irregular Rhythm: in the Health app, go to Browse > Heart > Irregular Rhythm Notifications to set up alerts for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Availability depends on your region and age.
- Cardio fitness levels: Health can notify you if your estimated cardio fitness is low.
Not Getting Notifications?
- Check that Heart Rate is allowed in Watch app > Privacy (Heart Rate must be on for background readings).
- Make sure Wrist Detection is on in Watch app > Passcode.
- Turn off Low Power Mode, which can pause background heart rate readings.
- Check that notifications for Heart are allowed in Watch app > Notifications > Heart.
To keep the screen dark when you lift your arm, see turning off Wake on Wrist Raise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a custom number, like 115 BPM?
No. You can only choose from the 10 BPM steps Apple provides.
Does the Apple Watch detect heart attacks?
No. Apple says heart rate notifications can’t detect heart attacks. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms, call emergency services.
Which Apple Watch models support this?
High and low heart rate notifications work on Apple Watch Series 1 and later with a compatible watchOS version.
Summary
- Open the Watch app > My Watch > Heart.
- Tap High Heart Rate.
- Choose 100–150 BPM or Off.
- Talk to a doctor if you get frequent alerts.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.