Afib and irregular heartbeat

[Mowgli44]

Recently diagnosed with Afib. I have a bp monitor that detects irregular beats and it has on a few occasions. Is this worrying?

[mjames1]

They could be ectopic beats which in most cases nothing to be concerned about. A bp monitor isn't really designed to diagnose arrhythmia's. There are devices, however, like the Kardia or Apple Watch that many here have found useful in that regard. Before that, in lieu of a 12 lead, we used to just diagnose at the wrist old school. I remember many years ago my GP explaining the difference between afib and ectopics verbally. I wish I had that recording!

Jim

[Coco51]

To add to what mjames said I can say that my BP monitor occasionally logs an irregular beat, but when I check with the Kardia there is no AF. Just an occasional ectopic - ie double or missed beat.

I think if you read the blurb for the Omron BP monitor, it says it registers an irregular heart beat if there are two irregular beats in the reading? Obviously with AF there are far more than that, but the Omron irregular heartbeat sign is the same for both. If that makes sense...

[Ppiman]

These will likely be, as others have said, "PVC"s or ectopic beats. They are nothing to worry about but can feel anything but that, especially if your heart rate is a bit raised, too. I get them and if they come in any number and over hours with me, they don't feel much different from AF. I would mention it to your GP and ask if they showed on any ECG you've had done.

Steve

[Mowgli44 in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you

[RG72]

Agree with the above. They can be the most troublesome sensations you’ve ever felt but the doctors best advice on them always seems to be ‘relax, don’t worry about it’. Generally this is correct, but if you are experiencing a lot, it’s a good idea to get checked out. If you’re noticing it a couple of times a day, should be OK, if it is very regular or seemingly continuous over a period of time and you’re having hundreds or thousands a day - get checked. Again, not necessarily anything to worry about, but you might need meds to calm down your heart.

[Phild1111]

I use the bp monitor to check when I revert to normal during an af episode. I find that triple heart symbol is pretty accurate. If I feel like I'm in af AND I get the symbol then I believe it. If I just get the symbol I measure it again... I use the bp monitor as a way to get out of af. I try to relax enough to get the rate down to below 70 as the first target. Once the triple symbol stops showing I know I am OK. It's something to visually see how things are going and seems to work for me. Funny that my bp is usually pretty normal, maybe a bit low. Of course you get plenty of outlier readings since my af take around 20-30 hours to revert.