Red lines on your display are called artifacts. They indicate a temporary loss of signal between the sensor and your body. This is usually caused by poor sensor placement, movement, or cold circulation
1. Understand “Artifacts”
Red lines occur when the device cannot detect a clean pulse. While data isn’t being recorded during these gaps, you can still practice HeartMath techniques to build coherence. Note that high amounts of artifacts will make your final coherence scores less accurate.
2. Sensor Placement & Adjustments
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Ear Sensor: Place the sensor on the fleshy part of your earlobe, as close to your cheek as possible. If the signal is weak, try the other ear.
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Finger Sensor: Ensure the fleshy tip of your finger is directly over the small rectangular window. The strap should be snug—not too tight (which cuts off circulation) and not too loose (which allows movement).
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Connection Check: Ensure the sensor plug is pushed firmly into the USB module or emWave2 device. Try rotating the plug slightly to ensure a solid contact.
3. Circulation and Temperature
Cold hands or earlobes restrict blood flow (vasoconstriction), making it difficult for the sensor to “see” your pulse.
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Warm your ears: Gently rub your earlobes before clipping the sensor.
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Warm your hands: Rub your hands together or run them under warm water (dry thoroughly) to restore circulation to your fingertips.
4. Movement and Stability
The sensors are highly sensitive. To minimize noise:
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Rest your arm and hand on a desk or flat surface.
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Avoid talking or excessive movement during the session.
5. Special Considerations
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Arrhythmias: If you have a known heart irregularity (like Afib or frequent PVCs), you may see persistent red lines. You can still benefit from the breathing pacers and techniques, though the coherence score calculation may be affected.
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Stillness: For children or restless users, physical movement is the most common cause of signal loss.
Still seeing red lines? If you’ve tried the steps above and the signal doesn’t improve, there may be a hardware issue. Please contact HeartMath Technical Support.