So fed up: I was first diagnosed in May... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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So fed up

Dogmad2 profile image
13 Replies

I was first diagnosed in May 23 with PAF and Bisoprolol kept everything under control under until another AFib episode in October.

Since then I have been on Flecainide 50g morning and night and bisopropol 2.5 morning and night.

I don’t feel my heart as much but my Apple Watch is showing an average of 68% AF over the last 6 weeks. It’s really getting me down. I am seeing a cardiologist privately this week so I’m guessing the medication will need to change.

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Dogmad2
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13 Replies
Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62

The Apple Watch AF history can be inaccurate for several reasons, I don’t pay it much attention, that figure is only an estimate of possible AF seen in the heart rate variability captured by the optical sensor on the back of the watch. The electrical sensors used for ECG using your finger on the crown wheel are more accurate.

I usually advise people to ignore the AF history and rely on the ECG app when they feel something as that is the only way to detect AF properly with the Apple Watch. Do you see the AF on ECGs with the watch ?

Just my opinion with experience of Apple Watch.

mav7 profile image
mav7 in reply to Buzby62

Dogmad2 As Buzby states, Apple Watch can be inaccurate. May want to google. Would post a link but the HU Oligarchs do not allow and may put me in a penal colony.

Ask the doctor to wear a Holter Monitor which will give an accurate assessment.

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62 in reply to mav7

I have asked permission, but as a general “can I post Apple Support links” I don’t intend asking every time, easier to just advise to Google as you say.

eg, search google for apple watch heart monitor

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62 in reply to Buzby62

  Dogmad2 mav7 Here is the link that explains the difference in the two methods the watch uses to monitor heart rate and the limitations.

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

Best Wishes

Dogmad2 profile image
Dogmad2 in reply to Buzby62

Thanks for the reply. I haven’t got the alerts on for AFib as it stresses me out too much. Consultant told me to do the history. Have had a 24 hour monitor from the GP and that showed I was in AFib 19 hours out of the 24.

Got a print out to show him tomorrow.

Think because I wasn’t feeling it too badly I was hoping that the AFib was reducing - but no!!!

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62 in reply to Dogmad2

AF History is the correct setup once you are diagnosed, alerts are not helpful.

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

There’s the link for anyone else that needs to do same.

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62

I see you are on bisoprolol (rate control) and flecainide ( rhythm control), maybe your consultant will need to review these in case one of them is causing more problems than solving.

Link to medications on AFA website: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Scroll passed the videos for information sheets if you haven’t already seen them.

Hope this helps for you and the browsers looking on

Fullofheart profile image
Fullofheart

Try not to be too down. This is very early days in terms of AF and it might take time to get medication right but also you are still adjusting. For me that got easier as time went on. As it is early days, you will likely have other treatment options available to you also. So there is plenty to discuss with your cardiologist.

After 20 years of AF I am now in normal rhythm. It's amazing what can be achieved.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

It took 100mgs Flecainide x2 per day to stop my AF. This is a rhythm drug but as my cardiologist admitted yesterday it slows the HR a bit.

Because my HR was already 55-60, I did not have the usual accompanying bisoporol. I was told 'it would make me feel unwell.'

This protocol has worked for a decade!

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat in reply to secondtry

Me too. Bisoprolol even in teeny doses dropped my heart rate too much

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

You are on a fairly standard dose of bisoprolol, but a low dose of flecainide from what I have read from others. Anti-arrhythmic drugs, as well as ablation, are given for symptom relief only, I gather, whereas bisoprolol also provides long-term cardio-protective action since it keeps tachycardia at bay and helps lower blood pressure with many other actions that help.

The Apple Watch - which I have and swear by as it's so generally useful - checks only indirectly for AF except when using the ECG app. It does this by measuring heart rate regularity over time, I think. A better direct measure might be to use a long term ECG device. The only one I know for home use (and which I have) is the Wellue 24-hour AI ECG device. I can highly recommend it.

Steve

Morzine profile image
Morzine

maybe you need a tweak up with the flec, I was on that thrn put up to 100, both are pretty low.

Good you seeing the cardio.

Yes those monitors and history, possibles, it csn become stressing…..some folk love thrm, I have my Marcia stuffed in drawer never to see light of day again…I had so many possibly afibs I was constantly checking…..

hope you get the reassurance you need,

Sue

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed

I hope you get some answers.As , others have said , Smart Watches are not always accurate and shouldn't be relied upon alone as an indicator of AF.

Luckily, you are seeing a Cardiologist this week, but if that happened again , especially if you feel symptom free it's better to have the issue checked with and ECG at your GP surgery , or you may find a Kardia unit more useful.

Depending on the age of the watch or how you are wearing it the watch can get some unusual readings.

It can be too loose or too tight or electrical interference from another nearby device can affect the readings.

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