Monitoring PAF

[Reena09]

I was diagnosed with PAF in April 2017 and it has not really effected my life until recently where I’ve had two episodes of feeling dizzy whilst out for a walk. The EP has recommended buying an Apple Watch to establish whether AF is becoming more frequent in episodes. I’m just conscious that I don’t want to become overly paranoid and wondering if anyone has one, can you turn notifications off when in AF. I want to use it for when I have symptoms rather than knowing what is going on! Also if anyone has any relevant stories about episodes of dizziness becoming more frequent, please share. EP doesn’t think I should consider an ablation at the moment and I’m not keen st this stage. I’m 71 years of age and on 1.25mg of Bisoprolol and apixaban.

[Hidden]

Hello Reena, I’m not familiar with the Apple Watch but I do have a Kardia (worth checking on google). I’m guessing that it differs in that you physically need to open the app on a device (I use iPhone) and place your fingers on a pad when your heart/pulse feels iffy to get an ECG . So maybe you are less likely to get obsessive or paranoid. Kardia reports are acceptable to most cardiologists, I don’t know if the same applies to the Apple Watch.

[karl1524]

Hi Reena,

I have an Apple Watch and do use it for monitoring AF, if you already have AF like us then the watch tells you not to set the automatic constant detection which I have not done, therefore the only way of knowing is to carry out a check as and when you want to. What I will say though is that my watch has detected AF on a handful of times, I have recorded these and printed out for my Cardiologist but he has advised that I have not actually been in AF on any of the occasions so I am unsure to the watches accuracy.

Cheers

[Reena09 in reply to karl1524]

Thanks. If the watch detects AF, what does the cardiologist mean that you are not in AF? It doesn’t appear on the Readings? Do you have any symptoms of feeling dizzy?

[karl1524 in reply to Reena09]

Hi, I do not get that symptom I just get an irregular and sometimes fast pulse, whilst the watch detected AF, I was very irregular but not fast, the watch allows you to add symptoms to the reading and print out as an ECG, the format is very impressive but on all the print outs my cardiologist stated that there was a clear P wave and that the watch had misdiagnosed which surprised me, in honesty though I have been happy with the watch I just think that it is not as accurate as is boasted by Apple

[bigbearatthecave]

Hi I take 1.25 mg biso and find it really great no more episodes, so i would suggest you take it everyday at the same time, it does not work as a quick fix. With regard to Apple watch I have an Apple watch 4 and if you look at it all the time it drives you nuts and makes the AF worse. I have no symptoms but my watch says permanent AF !!!

[Reena09 in reply to bigbearatthecave]

So are you actually in permanent AF or are they false readings? Presume you can turn notifications off? Yes, I take 1.25mg of Biso too at the same time every morning. Until recently, no symptoms and still can’t tell when I’m in AF. But recently had two episodes of feeling dizzy and hope it doesn’t get worse

[Reena09]

So are you actually in permanent AF or are they false readings? Presume you can turn notifications off? Yes, I take 1.25mg of Biso too at the same time every morning. Until recently, no symptoms and still can’t tell when I’m in AF. But recently had two episodes of feeling dizzy and hope it doesn’t get worse...

[PaulDB]

I looked into various watches. They measure your pulse which is not the same as your heart beat. Hence why your doctor said you weren't in AF.

I ordered one but since finding that out I'm sending it back.