A method and system for contextual heart rate monitoring are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises calculating a heart rate using a detected ECG signal and detecting an activity level. In a second aspect, the system comprises a wireless sensor device coupled to a user via at least one electrode, wherein the wireless sensor device includes a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device stores an application which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to calculate a heart rate using a detected ECG signal and to detect an activity level.