I’m wearing my iWatch less recently as the silicone strap is not so comfy and makes an indentation on my arm even though I don’t have it strapped tight. I’d be grateful for any recommendations for a more comfortable watch strap.
Secondly I’m wondering how reliable the AF history function is over time for a potential invisible return of AF. I receive a weekly report with the happy news of AF 2% or less of the time. Can I depend on this or should I also keep on doing regular ECG checks?
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Rainfern
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Hi Rainfern, when I bought my Apple watch earlier this year I had the option of a fabric strap as I can not tolerate the silicone ones. At an Apple store the fabric ones are the ridiculous price of £49 but are very comfortable and durable. The other option is a generic one such as Amazon or Ebay sell which are substantially cheaper. As to the accuracy of your AF history it can only record it if you are wearing the watch but I find it is very reliable but I am symptomatic so know anyway the start and finish of an episode, I always record an ECG though and also verify I am in NSR. Hope this helps you. Regards Kathleen
Thank you Oldforge, I shall visit the Apple shop when next in town and try the fabric variety, I’ve had too many unsatisfactory purchases of cheaper online varieties in the past year!
I am assuming that it is near accurate, I have the same reading of 2% or less but as it matches my pacemaker reading I am trusting it is accurate.
Of course it is only a report on confirmed AF readings and as we know, the algorithm is good but not 100% accurate. Personally I take a kardia reading if I think I may be in AF or about to, I do tend to feel my heart going a bit jittery/jumpy prior to AF.
Thank you Dreamer. My persistent AF was symptomatic but of course it could return invisibly in which case I’d be seeking further intervention. It’s good to know the watch is fairly reliable but will take a reading if I feel a wobble. Now in NSR and I’d like to just wear the watch and forget about it!
Hi Rainfern, you can’t rely on the AF History or the AF alert modes to catch all your AF and it can miss episodes but it can indicate you’ve had some AF you didn’t know about if you’re asymptomatic. See my replies on a recent post healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
Thank you Buzby that’s so helpful. Very useful links. It’s a return of persistent AF that I fear as that’s what my heart seems to like when not in NSR! So I guess provided I keep the watch on it will let me know I have an AF history above 2%. It was pretty reliable in reporting constant AF in the past.
Yes, if you’re persistent/permanent it should report 100% however few checks it makes but definitely more than the 2% it reports for none. Just be aware it’s only reporting irregular beats and not confirming AF, it’s an assumption of AF for users already diagnosed with AF. The only way to confirm AF is with the ECG function.
From personal experience. I was persistent asymptomatic at low rate, and the watch was signing 100% AF correctly. I had cardioversion and then again AF in the night, the watch didn't flag it (I suspect because of the rate) but started to make more frequent HRV records from where I had the prove I was in AF, and the watch made the difference for me as I addressed it before having to take months of meds. I also keep on watch face the heart rate plot, with a quick look I can spot if it's going irregular again.
I had, since ablation, caught AF a couple of times on ECG but the watch didn't record them because below 10 seconds episodes.
For strap I second Oldforge73, I also wear fabric apple strap, still bothers me a bit and I wish I didn't have to wear a watch 24/7 but, in my case, it gives me some sense of control and I learned a lot about my body, as I use it to check my sleep and training.
Thank you, it’s helpful to know your iWatch has been true to your persistent AF experience. I’m trying to “forget” the risk that my AF will return and as long as I can trust the watch to pick it up I can relax! Every so often, if I’m a bit under the weather or get a bit breathless I fear the AF has returned. Maybe I do get the odd small episode but don’t need to know about that!
I have bought a couple of sets of fabric straps ( really sturdy fabric) from Amazon that got excellent reviews for similar reasons to you regarding the silicone strap. I really recommend them, you get a set of different colours and they’re muted colours and go with everything. They last, even if I get it slightly wet for instance - and they don’t show marks. They have ones with rose gold clasps etc and they’ve never tarnished and I’ve been wearing them for over a year now.
I can’t publish a link but you should be able to get them up on the screen if you type ‘Maledan 6 Pack Braided Solo Loop Compatible with Apple Watch Straps’ also they’re £9.99 for six straps 😊
I never used the Afib function and instead used the notification for advising if I was having an irregular rhythm as I’m very symptomatic and most of my episodes happen at night. The function wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know already. For me it wasn’t helpful, though i know it is for others. I have since disabled the HR function completely, as it was just causing me anxiety, so I now use it purely as an (expensive) watch! It was a big step for me, but I’m happier not knowing my HR, I only want to know it if in AF.
If I was to have an AF episode, I’d use my Kardia.
Thank you Teresa, I shall take a look at those. I like the idea of a colour choice. When I bought my iWatch I decided it was “compensation” for having AF! So I don’t feel too bad that Ive given up using most of the functions. I don’t look at HR any more either. I worry about the climate and global warming instead 😂
hi Thomas, when I first had AF a couple of years ago I had a big psychological block regarding heartbeats, pulse, and understanding the mechanics of the heart yet alone AF. I believe this block developed after open heart surgery as a teenager and so I set about some DIY systematic desensitisation. By the time I saw my EP giving a public talk with diagrams and all, I was a whole lot braver and facing the path I had to take with cardioversions and ablation. Being able to take my own pulse was the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle that I was preparing myself to do before I was called in for my ablation! And now your post has made me feel the challenge coming on again to take my pulse without fainting! Probably too much information here lol
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