ways of checking for PAF & AF

[Renault4]

Good Morning,

Many thanks for this splendid site, lots of useful information.I wanted to ask if you can use a finger oximitor to check for AF? For instance if you are having irregular beats will this be detected by the pulse oximitor i.e. possibly the pulse reading jumping around?

There is a BP machine called WATCH BP which can detect, so it claims, AF while reading you BP.

[Drounding]

The Oximeter will measure Oxygen and often pulse rate. Whilst it may show a higher pulse rate often associated with AF it will not be able to confirm AF. BP machines can be more clever but I haven't heard of one to confirm AF, but it may be possible. Measuring BP when in AF can also be difficult with a BP machine. I would suggest looking at a Kardia device that can take a simple trace of your heart. This has algorithms to detect AF which are very good, but again you would need a proper ECG to be 100% sure. The trace from a Kardia can be printed out and shown to your doctor. You can also send it off from within the app to a doctor for analysis at a cost.

[Renault4 in reply to Drounding]

Thanks for that,will look at the kardia but guess that as Buffafly below suggests just feeling my pulse will suffice for the moment!

[Buffafly]

An Omron 3 BP machine will tell you (💓 symbol) if your heartbeat is irregular but really you don't need a machine to tell you your pulse is irregular. A check of your wrist or neck pulse if you are not actually having palpitations will do it. For more info you need a Kardia or similar.

[Renault4 in reply to Buffafly]

Many thanks.