Fitbit or Apple?

[Lizty]

I am having quite a few supraventicular ectopics and occasional ventricular ectopics which have been picked up on a recent 7 day monitor. I think it is the above that are contributing to my drops in blood pressure after eating or whilst standing for too long. The arrhythmia nurse is not sure about the reason, but the cardiologist thinks I now need a second ablation. I am in no rush for the latter. The ectopics are bearable but on occasion the drop in blood pressure means I get a rush of presyncope and slide to the floor... which is really annoying and worrying. This happens so quickly that I haven't time to use my Kardia. Would a Fitbit or Apple Watch help me monitor the ectopics? Maybe I could figure out if there is a particular trigger and get some control back of my life! At the moment I am keeping hydrated, eating small meals and trying to rest up.... but it has been a very very stressful family year.

[Mugsy15]

I have a Fitbit sense, and it does not constantly monitor you in any way, as people often imagine. If you suspect you are in AF you can sit down, swipe to the heart icon, place your thumb and index finger on the corners of the face and relax for one minute while it analyses. If you are indeed in AF it is very good at identifying that. If you are in sinus rhythm it will say so. But anything in between; other arrythmias such as SVE, PAC, Atrial flutter etc will be reported as 'inconclusive'.

Having said that the watch doesn't monitor, there is a setting by which you can (allegedly) receive an alert of AF, but Fitbit state this is only for users who have never knowingly had AF before and when setting this up in the app, you need to tick a box to say you've never been diagnosed with AF. I and several others on this forum have done this (naughty) to see if we got an alert. I never have (although to be fair I haven't been aware of any AF since my Ablation nearly 2 years ago) and I've not heard of anyone else getting one.

I don't know about the Apple watch but I expect the technology will be exactly the same.

[Buzby62 in reply to Mugsy15]

I would say yes, very similar on Apple Watch

Here’s a link which may be helpful

support.apple.com/en-us/HT2...

[Lizty in reply to Mugsy15]

Thanks... very helpful...

[Lizty in reply to Mugsy15]

Thanks Mugsy... lots to think about!

[Dodie117 in reply to Mugsy15]

I would add that Fitbit monitors AF at night whilst at rest seemingly. I have received alerts of nighttime episodes whilst asleep - which is useful to know. This was the main reason I got a Fitbit. Daytime ones I check on Kardia but I am pretty symptomatic so only do this so I can show cardiologist.

[JaneFinn]

I don’t know anything about it myself but I’m sure I’ve read people posting about the WELLUE ecg monitor which you attach to your chest and can record up to 24 hours at a time… Just 1 lead I think. I’m not sure if it’s reliable or successful, but might be worth a search on the forum threads to see if you find anything helpful?

It does seem like you need something that records without needing time to get it up and activated. I’d be grateful for the same (i was due an implanted loop recorder but that’s been put on hold) so I’d be interested if you find something that suits you x

[Lizty in reply to JaneFinn]

I will let you know if I make any progress, Jane!

[JaneFinn in reply to Lizty]

Thank you!! x

[Ppiman]

I have an Apple Watch and did have a Kardia, which I have switched to two Wellue ECG devices, one of which can run for 24 hours and both of which give very complete AI reports included in the purchase price.

The Apple Watch is simply an exceptionally useful general device. In terms of helping you, well, that isn't so easy to know as the ECG function requires you to be holding it for 30 seconds to run a trace and given what you describe, you'll not be able to do that! The trace will certainly show ectopic beats and heart rate, but will only report if the cause is AF (it also shows brady- and tachycardia and "inconclusive", which means it found too many ectopic beats, usually). You can let the Watch look for "AF" throughout the day, but what it actually looks for is an irregular heartbeat, not actual AF (since this needs both hands). The Watch measures the pulse regularity (or otherwise) on an off during the day, not permanently, so it, too, might miss your ectopics, and, even then, wouldn't be recording a trace of the heartbeat. The only device I can think that might help is the Wellue 24-hour ECG monitor?

Steve

[Lizty in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks.... that's a really detailed and helpful reply Pp. It sounds like the Wellue 24 hour ECG is the best suggestion. So will go for that and feed back if it's a success. I have had two appointments re heart and hypotension 'problems' recently, but goodness knows how long until I get a follow up. Always good to try and sort issues oneself as best as possible so can be vaguely articulate when meeting the doctor!

[Ppiman in reply to Lizty]

When I worked in the pharmaceutical industry, I recall reading that hypotension used not to be taken very seriously in the UK and even seen as a passport to a long life, whereas, in Germany and Scandinavia, for example, the opposite was true and it was medically treated (although how well is another matter since it's far from an easy thing to treat). I think it is now treated with more seriousness over here since it leads to falls, and those are potentially dangerous in older people (in fact, I think I read, the leading cause of hospitalisation?).

Yes - doctors don't mind articulacy so long as the word "Google" isn't used!

Steve

[LJjr]

My observations with my fitbit suggest it can be useful for heart rate monitoring and a-fib detection but that it is inconsistent. If my heart-rate is over 100 with a-fib it reads inconclusive. If I'm throwing ectopics the heart rate reading is sometimes way elevated. I have received three nighttime notices of a-fib, but I have to wonder if it is missing some. So, although it is useful, I wouldn't bet my life on it.

[Lizty in reply to LJjr]

Thanks. Good advice

[MaryCa]

I got ectopics after my ablation last Dec. Someone on an afib page had mentioned co enzyme Q10. It is absolutely brilliant. You cannot take it if on warfarin, but there are some who do because they do their INR themselves. There is loads of information on google scholar about afib and Q10. It reduces inflammation and seemingly afib loves inflammation. Always worth a try. I take 200mg daily.

[Lizty]

Thanks Mary. Absolutely worth a try. Have started on magnesium which some docs recommend. Will try Q10 as well.