Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

[Afrun]

I have a Galaxy Watch 4 which uses the same technology as the iWatch but works with Samsung phones. It has no problem identifying AF and occasionally picks up atrial flutter, which shows as a "saw tooth" trace between pulses.

[Ppiman]

That's interesting. I was told that AFl can't be picked up by my Apple Watch and that the odd shaped trace I get sometimes is down to interference rather than the heart itself. When I had AFl, the doctor had to inject a temporary heart block drug to show up the flutter, even with a twelve lead ACG machine. I had read, though, that the Kardia device will be able to pick it up in a future release.

Steve

[Afrun in reply to Ppiman]

Interference may be the cause of the pattern I see, as no claims to reveal flutter are made by Samsung. I was shown flutter on a 12 lead trace by my EP. The saw-tooth pattern looked very similar

Flutter?

[Ppiman in reply to Afrun]

Well - that's interesting! How are you feeling while that is happening?

Steve

[Afrun in reply to Ppiman]

I'll let you know after my double ablation on April 4th! - Dave

[Ppiman in reply to Afrun]

You'll be done and dusted before you know it and feeling a new man!

Steve

[Afrun in reply to Ppiman]

Well, here I am 3 weeks post ablation. 3 episodes of Afib and right now in SR. I have recurrent indigestion which is concerning (google it) and also breathlessness at the slightest exercise. Hoping that my EP will allow me to try coming off digoxin and/or bisoprolol when I see him for a follow-up at the end of May. If the breathlessness is being caused by unnecessary medication I should improve.

[Ppiman in reply to Afrun]

After mine (2019 - for persistent atrial flutter), I was told it takes a while for the heart's ejection fraction (slight heart failure, really, I suppose) to improve, as it would have been weakened by the arrhythmia and tachycardia over time, also, in my case, it caused a slight valve leakage which also recovered over the weeks following the ablation).

That said, in November 2020 I developed a racing heart (not especially fast, at about 85, but rapidly going to 130 if I do anything at all). I still to this day get it on and off, often with lots of ectopic "missed" beats, and very occasionally with AF - always tiring and causing a mild aching chest discomfort, almost muscular in the way it feels. I have had that since yesterday, in fact, when I took 1.25mg bisoprolol, which works well, but this afternoon that is wearing off and the chest discomfort is back. My cardiologist isn't concerned unless it becomes AF and more frequent.

Let's hope your experience is at least no worse, and hopefully a lot better than mine. I think you'll be fine. Coming off the drugs too soon can bring on arrhythmias again, so your doctor is the key to what to do. I think, though, that some of what you feel is because your heart is now more "normal" and yet is still being slowed down by, especially, the two drugs.

I had lots of stomach issues before and after. I do have a hiatus hernia and reflux, but it was worse than that (and I have esomeprazole for that, anyway). I think you'll find the indigestion soon settles. You'll no doubt have read about the closeness of the oesophagus to the ablation area in some people and the possibility of damage. I think you won't have that - it is very well guarded against nowadays. Again, though - ask if a short course of a PPI might help, maybe?

Steve

[Afrun in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks - and I started on PPIs a couple of days ago. The annoying thing about the breathlessness is that I had no sign of it before my ablation. My daily 3 mile walk now takes an extra 2 minutes and I'm puffing and panting the whole time. Still, it's nice to feel that regular heartbeat - for as long as it lasts!

[Ppiman in reply to Afrun]

I have come to the conclusion that there's a lot more going on with arrhythmias than just the Afib or Aflutter...

Steve

[beach_bum]

Not sure about android watches, but I know from personal experience, my Apple Watch has recorded and alerted to afib in the past. Be aware of the tightness requirements of both android and Apple watches...too loose or tight can effect readings.

[Afrun in reply to beach_bum]

My watch also alerts me to sustained high heart rate. This is using the LED rather than an electrical trace however. I don't think any of us want to spend too long with our finger on the trace button!