Blood pressure readings

I need some advice please as l am confused by the readings on my BP monitor against my fitbit. I am having an episode of afib or flutter not sure which. BP Monitor reading is 130/95 pulse 111, 3 minutes earlier was 111/84 pulse 91. Fitbit shows HR at 55.

[Kaz747]

Fitbits aren’t accurate when in AF so I would be inclined to believe your BP Monitor more.

[Hidden in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks for your advice. it was the variation the was alarming as l use my fitbit when walking.

[Kaz747 in reply to Hidden]

I have a Fitbit but I have had many times when I have been in hospital on heart monitor and my Fitbit reads nothing like the medical equipment 😀

[jeanjeannie50]

Blood pressure never stays at a consistent level. It's up and down all the time and that's quite normal.

Your pulse though is a different matter, when taken at complete rest its roughly the same reading. Also bear in mind that the slightest stimulus can alter both. Of course if you're in AF then your pulse will be all over the place.

My daughter had a Fitbit which she swore by for years, then it broke. She now has the latest Apple watch, but says she preferred the Fitbit (she does not have AF).

What the pulse in your wrist is indicating is not always correct. I once thought mine was normal, but my heart was beating too fast to register correctly in my wrist, this was verified by paramedics who came to my aid. They had not seen this before, but when taken to hospital the consultant there had.

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean thanks for your reply. I was diagnosed with afib over a year ago but never had any issues till about 8 months ago so I am still coming to terms with all that goes on with this condition and the medication l have been taking. Unfortunately I do not have any access to the cardiologist who has been treating me, seen him twice since my diagnosis. Never speak to the same GP twice as covid-19 has them all in hiding. Been taking Flecainide since mid-August but it has been giving me a lot of palpitations and different BP readings, likely due to bring in Afib/flutter most days. Been like that since early morning so l am unsure what to do next other than sit it out.

[Buffafly in reply to Hidden]

If you read the answers to my recent post you will see how many different opinions and experiences there are about that. Last year I was admitted to hospital to see a cardiologist and try to get me back in NSR, a year later I have been sent home with the same symptoms (they did check I had an adult at home with me) but as you see from my follow up post they did refer me back to a cardiologist.

Just a thought, are you taking Flecainide alone, because it can cause flutter and other arrhythmias if not taken with a beta blocker or diltiazem. Also I am not sure why you are taking your BP? Unless you have been told to keep an eye on it it is better not to because ‘monitoring’ symptoms constantly tends to encourage them and make you feel more anxious. If your BP is too low you will feel faint so you’ll know. Before I had a Kardia I had an AF episode one day and I took my BP. Then again and again. And each time my BP went up! Panic! Now I take my BP if I feel weak for no obvious reason or my GP tells me to monitor it.

The first months of AF are very hard for everyone I think so do ask for support if you need it 💜

[Hidden in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks Buffafly for your reply. Yes l only take flecainide as my understanding is that l have no other issues with my heart. I now only take my BP when I feel unwell, which l did this morning, although l was obsessed with taking it before my meds were changed. I have just spoken to my GP who has told me to up my meds to 150mg a day then let her know in a couple of weeks how l am getting on.

[baba]

I know nothing about Fitbit but digital/ automatic BP monitors do not give accurate Heart Rate when in AF. They probably don’t give accurate Blood Pressure readings either.

Re Flecainide. It can cause arrhythmia as well as stop it. I think you need an ECG to find out exactly what’s happening. Unless your GP has already done this.

Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to baba]

I had an ECG just over a week ago and everything was fine as was my BP.

[baba in reply to Hidden]

But if you are having Afib/Flutter it won’t be “fine” now. You need the ECG done during the episode.

My only voluntary trip to A&E was to catch an episode on ECG.

[Hidden in reply to baba]

You are likely correct but l am not sure how this could be done tonight unless l to go to A&E which l do not want to do.

[Hidden]

Fitbits aren't very accurate at the best of times, and in AF will be of no use at all. BP monitors are generally the same, there are some that can detect an arrhythmia (I have one that can do that) but the blood pressure is totally inaccurate when in AF.

You can check your Heart rate the old fashioned way which would be way better, as for BP the only way to get anything near an accurate reading would be the old stethoscope and manual cuff

[momist]

The Fitbit (and other wrist worn heart rate monitors) use a little (usually green) light and a light sensitive cell to detect the ever so slight reddening of the skin when your heart beat swells the capillary blood cells with increased pressure. When you are in AF though:

1) To eliminate spurious responses, the rhythm is passed through an algorithm looking for a 'regular' beat between 'normal' limits. In AF, it is neither regular nor within normal limits.

2) Not every beat of your heart generates enough pressure to pump up the capillary blood vessels enough to change your skin colour.

A Fitbit (and probably a home blood pressure machine) will never give you as accurate a trace as a simple two lead electrical measurement such as the Kardia or similar.

[Hidden in reply to momist]

Thanks for the information. I think it is time l invested in a Kardia Mobile.