Apple Watch and AF notifications

[KipperJohn]

I was quite surprised to read in an earlier post that the writer had set up their Apple Watch to receive AF notifications. Apple are quite clear in their set up procedures that these notifications are NOT designed for people who have been properly diagnosed with AF by a doctor. Indeed you are specifically asked to confirm whether or not you have been diagnosed- if you answer ‘yes’ then the software prevents you from setting up such notifications .

Like BobD and others I’m a great believer in listening to my body and as I’m very symptomatic to AF it’s pretty easy to tell when it happens. You can still use your watch/IPhone to check you’re heart rate or send off an ECG to your EP/nurse.

No doubt Apple have legal and other reasons for this - plus of course the watch is simply an aid and not a diagnostic tool.

Hope this is helpful.

Best wishes.

[Physalis]

Not everyone is as symptomatic. Until I got my watch I had a wrist monitor so I, and my doctor too, thought I had a couple of episodes a month when it was nearer three episodes a week. After that I became more aware of when it started but when it finished was not so clear.

I see no harm at all in setting up AF notifications even if you know you have AFib. I didn't use it but I suppose a notification would nudge you to do an ECG or look at what your heart rate was doing so that you could record it.

The reason for Apple not letting you set up these notifications is more likely to save you having frequent annoying pop ups with the watch telling you something you already know.

I don't agree with you when you say "the watch is simply an aid and not a diagnostic tool." It is just as much a diagnostic tool as the Kardia and works in the same way to produce an ECG which you can show to your doctor if you want to.

[KipperJohn in reply to Physalis]

Here is the official advice from Applesupport.apple.com/en-us/HT2...

I doubt it is ‘annoying pop ups’ Apple are concerned about. Your watch doesn’t constantly monitor for AF - they’re probably far more concerned about being sued if AF is not detected in someone who has been diagnosed with it and they become seriously ill or worse.

I use mine to occasionally check my heart rate - both in real time and historically - and to take and send an ECG if I think it appropriate.

It’s also good for my low level fitness regime.

Kind regards.

[Physalis in reply to KipperJohn]

That's your opinion, it is not mine. If you know you've got AFib you don't need your watch to keep telling you about it. That's all Apple are saying.

The watch is being, and has been, sold to millions of people. There are thousands of people who have AFib but are unaware of it until they have a stroke. If the watch catches just a few of them then it must surely be a good thing.

[KipperJohn in reply to Physalis]

Well your second paragraph rather makes my point. AF notifications are designed for people who don’t know that they have AF , not for those who have been diagnosed with it - which is exactly what Apple are saying and I agree. I’m not going to circumvent their system by being untruthful and cheating myself.

[Physalis in reply to KipperJohn]

I thought you were making the point that Apple tells you not to set up AF notifications in case they are sued for missing a case of AFib.

I knew I had Afib so didn't need the watch to warn me that I had it. However, I can't see much wrong in leaving the notifications on if it's seen as useful.

[KipperJohn in reply to Physalis]

Hello again 😀. The thrust of all this is that to turn on AF notifications you have to lie if you’ve been diagnosed with AF by a doctor. That’s not an opinion but a fact. Mine is off for that reason. Anyway it’s still great piece of kit as the youngsters say!

Take care and keep safe.

[Physalis in reply to KipperJohn]

I've just realised that I was not telling the truth to my watch when I had AF. Now I haven't got AF, I can feel suitably virtuous but there's no way I'm turning notifications on.

I don't think it was that much of a sin anyway.

[Riadee in reply to Physalis]

Because I have permanent AFib, I have a Kardia, my watch, and oxymeter, and the comparison is usually always the same. I have callibrated these with my doctor. So as a guideline I think they could be life savers. Best regards,

[Pigleywigley]

Hi KipperJohn I wear Apple Watch & notifications are on. It is because they are on I had an episode first one while on holiday. Without my Apple I didn’t know I had AF (it was middle of night). I can tell really easily now I don’t need my watch to tell me. So along with my watch, a hospital stay & a cardiology Appmt yes it did become a diagnostic tool. I am not reliant on the watch I use it to monitor & just about to send ECGs to cardiologist.

👍

[SamuelJB in reply to Pigleywigley]

I have been diagnosed asymptomatic Afib using an internal loop recorder and being treated with drugs. The ILR is being removed. How can I know if asymptomatic Afib returns?..would the Apple watch alert to this? Any advice on using Apple watch appreciated in absence of Afib symptoms. Thanks

[KipperJohn in reply to SamuelJB]

You can check your heart rate in real time on your watch and historically over a period ranging from an hour to a year on your paired IPhone which is what I do. Of course your heart rate will fluctuate with movement and exercise so it’s best to monitor it whilst at rest. Any spikes or major fluctuations will easily be spotted and might indicate AF, although it’s not a given. You can record an ECG if you’re worried and send to your physician of choice.

[SamuelJB in reply to KipperJohn]

Thank you for replying this is helpful. It would be great to have the ILR permanently flag up asymptomatic Afib but it's not to be....will just gave to trust the drugs don't stop working. Will continue to monitor heart rate with Fitbit and Oximeter. It's just the unknown aspects of asymptomatic Afib. Living in moment and making the best of what I have health wise and appreciative. Cheers.

[Ppiman]

I did read that myself the other week when I was testing for arrhythmia. I gather Apple are bound by legal and health regulatory restraints regarding for what heart measurements their watch can be used, even though its technical capabilities are beyond those and absolutely include the possibility of alerting to the presence of fibrillation whether or not the person has been officially made aware of it or not. The device has no means of knowing what you know and you won't be "lying" to anyone about such a thing. It's a harmless monitoring device only not a health intervention aid.

I can't see any reason why an owner of the watch shouldn't do with it what they will, so long as they don't expect to be able to sue Apple for its failing to do what the company said it shouldn't be used for in the first place.

It's an excellent watch in my view. and I'd buy another tomorrow if mine stopped working.

Steve

[KipperJohn in reply to Ppiman]

Looks like we’re pretty much on the same page.

I just have a natural aversion to giving an answer which I know in this instance to be absolutely false. What others do is a matter for them.

Yes it’s a great watch.

[Ppiman in reply to KipperJohn]

Aha. I can't see what's to be gained by describing the watch's capabilities of being "false", myself, but I can see where you are coming from on this.

Steve

[KipperJohn]

Not questioning the watch’s capabilities at all Steve. They’re top notch. However, without trying to sound like a stuck record, when attempting to set up AF notifications I’m simply not prepared to answer a question falsely to achieve completion of the process. All the best.

John

[Physalis in reply to KipperJohn]

Do you apply that to everything in life? Do you have the same aversion to little white lies? Do people regard you as blunt?

I don't tell lies but there are a few people who do it all the time. When I was young it was very looked down upon but nowadays some people think it's clever.

Taking the oath in court used to be a guarantee that the witness would not lie but it isn't any longer.

[CCW66]

Good to know as well re Apple Watch Kardia. These readings are often inaccurate. I can get Sinus Rhythm when I know I am having afib but at a low rate.

[Janelr]

I have it on In the hope that one day I may revert and won’t get a a notification ha chance would be a fine thing! We live in hope 😄 oddly it never goes off through the day just in evening.

[Riadee]

I have an Apple watch, it notifies my about 3 or 4 times a day that my heart has shown signs of an irregular heart beat suggestive of Atrial Fibliration. It reads if I have not been diagnosed then I should speak with a doctor.

[KipperJohn in reply to Riadee]

I believe you posted earlier that you have permanent AF and have Kardia etc. We’re all different of course as to our specific needs - just wondered why you would want to be reminded that you have AF every day, if the watch gives no further information. Do you use it as a prompt to check your heart rate or take an ECG? Apple clearly designed the notifications for those who don’t know they might have AF - but as others have said if it’s a help to you then excellent.