have had iwatch ultra for a couple years now.You can track your AF.Also heart rate and range during day and night.it has a tremendous amount of information about your heart rate.it also has ECG,Blood oxygen,HR,and lots of other excellent health data.You can track your walking/exercise.it really is impressive for keeping track of your HR and shows when you are in AF.which as we all know you kind of know as you feel lightheaded and generally unwell.There not cheap but on eBay/facebook they can be bought for around £300.Hope that helps for anyone looking to know more about there AF,HR and general health.
IWATCH ULTRA 1: have had iwatch ultra... - Atrial Fibrillati...
IWATCH ULTRA 1
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Danny44
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ECG just from wrist ?
yes from wrist
Photo
It looks quite impressive but pricey!
You would also need an iPhone, unless you have ready got one.
I wouldn't contemplate paying that price. I'm quite happy with my Kardia ! I can understand why it would be popular though.
Big difference (benefit) to Kardia is the Apple Watch monitors 24x7. You don't need to buy an Ultra, the cheaper devices (SE (from £129), series 8,9, 10) do the same monitoring.
It is brilliant but you need to understand a few restrictions with it. It’s not a constant monitor for AF, it can and will miss some but it’s a good indicator that you are having some irregular beats that are more than likely AF if you have been diagnosed previously.
See “ Things you should know” on this link support.apple.com/en-gb/108375
Also the background heart rate monitor is good when in normal rhythm but pretty much meaningless when in AF as are all wearables as your instantaneous HR will be jumping about from beat to beat while in AF. The ECG function is excellent though and gives an average HR over the 30 second check. It’s only the ECG that can actually confirm AF.
Please don’t take this as a negative, I wouldn’t be without mine.
Best wishes
I found it measured the jumps in that when in AF it clearly showed the jumps in H/R.i was watching it for 1/2 hr and was jumping around 47-53-65-77-88-103-123-137-132.I found it bang in as far as accuracy as I also had oxymeter and blood pressure H/R.That is my experience over the last 2 yrs.and it’s been super accurate.But like all tech glitches in the matrix are possible lol.Happy Xmas 🌲
I have difficulty getting readings on an oximeter as I have Raynaud's syndrome.Is the watch quick and accurate?
I've found looking at the HRV measurements if you have the AF burden monitoring turned on is very useful to self monitor whats going on!
G-Morning,
I didn’t know about AF burden I will need to switch that on.Such a clever bit of health tech I’m very impressed.however I would be more impressed if I didn’t have AF at all lol.Merry Christmas to you 🌲❄️
One thing I didnt mention is that if you turn burden on you don't get notifications of AFib episodes, you get a weekly summary. I find I can look at the HRV if I think I had an episode to confirm.
AF History percentage is the AF burden, I think you already have this turned on from your screenshot in original post. The alternative option is to disable AF History and have the AF notifications on which is not recommended once diagnosed with AF. Some still prefer the notification mode though.
Best wishes
I find the HR monitor part to be quite alarming at times with huge highs and lows. But I suspect it just can't cope with people in permanent AF. So I just use it as a guide for that. It will show a trend for example, if I alter my thyroid meds.
Yes the instantaneous HR readings when in AF are irrelevant really, it’s the average you need in AF, either by counting beats in a full minute or the ECG function will give an average over 30 seconds.
Looking at instantaneous HR while in AF can be scary raising anxiety and raising your HR even further so is counterproductive.
Best wishes
It can be alarming but I think important to know.its not an easy thing to line with that’s for sure.when in bad AF I can barely get from my bed to the bathroom.!
Got to agree Danny, I've got the series nine watch and it does everything you so completely described. My GP loved it last Friday when I had to see him urgently as he could get all the data he needed and could then change my medication. The availability to check that my heart rate is within safe parameters while in AFib is worth every penny I spent on it.
Wow a GP agree who is this GP I need there number haha.im sure the information is very informative for the Dr.And to be able to recognise your meds Accordingly is brilliant.I cannot believe in this day and age they can’t cure AF.Merry Xmas 🌲
I was so pleased that my GP found the technology to his advantage and mine, he leapt at it, maybe because he was on the younger side and sees it as a help with their diagnoses. I'm on the older side at 75years and think it is amazingly useful, giving me information so I can manage my AFib as effectively as possible. Knowing my heart rate allowed me today to message my surgery on My GP saying the new meds were not controlling an episode and needed titrating, within an hour this was actioned and dose increased. We have limited control over this rogue condition but these devices go a long way in giving us a small amount. Not just Apple but all the other options as well. Merry Christmas to you Danny
That’s really good too hear.and great that the tech is helping with your AF treatment.Titration a word I have not heard before had too look that up.Rogue it definitely is I knew about most of the features but my 78 year old dad.Showed me the AF feature.i just love the watch although I don’t enjoy watching my HR jump around.Bit atleast you know when it might be time to go to A & E with prolonged high or low HR.or true to AF all over the place good luck to you.Stay safe and well 🤙
hey Danny I have the model below Ultra series 9 and set on AF alert as my episodes at the moment are generally 6-12 months apart. By the looks of your data yours is more regular? and if so how long do episodes last, does the watch tell you?
Cheers
Hi James,
Pleased too hear your AF episodes aren’t to regular.i have had quite a few recently the last being 30hrs.it does show the heart rate range for that day/night.and the graph clearly shows the range over that period.it also has the EXG blood oxygen all sorts.you could probably trade in that watch at CEX add a little on top of that and get the ultra 1.All the best to you merry Xmas have a good one.
Dan
Yes I’m thinking of getting the ultra… inalso use the HRV as a guide it starts to spike before an episode. For example after 10 months of Sinus on Monday it went from 30-40 to 200-300 then stayed there for the day till the Fkecanide kicked in and I did bike ride so maybe combo got me in sinus. I checked the HRV and it dropped to 130 then 30 minutes later down towards 50.
So your HR was 200-300 ? I had 132-137 for 8 hrs that was hell so I can’t even imagine 200-300.the max I ever had was 160-180bpm.The iwatch ultra is a great bit of kit even waterproof to depths.Has so many cool exercise features also.records walks swims and no doubt bike rides.!
no no I’m taking about Heart rate variability it’s the milliseconds between beats. HRV. Look at All Health Data and scroll till you see it. I’ll need to find out more about it. Historically when I’m in AF the HRV is very high
Yes the HRV is usually very high when in AFib. Mine always is.
By definition an irregular beat will be varying with every beat to beat so HRV will be excessively high when your heart is irregular. The actual figure is absolutely meaningless when in AF but I also find looking for the spikes a good indication that irregularities have been present.
HRV is not actually a measurement of time between beats but a measurement of how the time between beats is varying and is in milliseconds.
Best wishes
Totally agree that HRV numbers are meaningless but it is interesting and like you said an indicator that your heart is irregular. Love my smart watch. Cheers
I have a Fitbit, so it works with android, and it does much the same thing. Interesting looking for patterns to try to work out triggers but with nothing to report on that front. Also the ECG function I love for confirming when I have come out of AFib.
Hi there yes my mum uses the Fitbit and my dad iwatch ultra. They probably know more what the watches do than I do lmao merry Xmas 🌲❄️
and yes it’s so nice to confirm you are back in NSR.as your heart feels jumpy after a hard attack.i felt dreadful after my last 30hr stint.
I've got a Huawei GT3 and previously had a Fitbit and also currently have a Kardia. I'm most impressed by my watch as it picks up when the feeling of AF starts and monitors oxygen, pulse, BP, ecg and lots more. Seems accurate too as I've compared with Kardia however I found the Fitbit I had was way off when using that. I do think they are very useful extra tools to reassure you're not imagining episodes.
Wow ok that sounds good also.So it gives you an alert when your going into AF.? Not sure if my watch does.but the ECG confirms and just looking at the change but I think it does merry xmas 🎄
Does it accurately report BP?I haven't heard of a wrist devise that does.
I don’t think it does blood pressure just stick to a decent arm machine !
Yes, very useful info from Apple Watches Danny + I have a 4 & 8 which both give same info. Only drawback with them is they don’t give you an instant pulse reading unless you’re in an exercise mode screen ie walking or jogging exercise etc. For that reason I often use an Huawei GT3 Pro which also has good monitoring software & an ECG function etc.
Yes I did have a 4 so nice too keep an eye on what exactly your heart is doing during AF.i think it’s worth the money.and any smartwatch that is accurate.merry Xmas 🎄
my cardiologist recommended Apple Watch with afib recognition. $599 . Canadian $$$$ it works great. Goes to my iPhone. Then I can send info to cardiologist. Excellent.. recommend it..
How far we have come tech wise.A calculator watch was impressive as a kid lol.They are brilliant but like all Apple it’s stupidly expensive.but you can’t put a price on health 🌲🎄
Absolutely love my Apple Watch Seties 8 - the wealth of health monitoring is incredible. I have SVT (controlled with dronedarone) and occasional palpitations (controlled with bisoprolol) and I also use the Qaly app. When the watch says ‘possible AF’ the Qaly app actually reads the ecg and identifies 30 different rhythms and arrithmias.
If you wear your watch overnight the amount of health info is wild! Another shout out to my GP and cardiologist who both trust the data from my Apple Watch and are big supporters of wearable tech.
Hi jezza,
I know the amount of different health info from constant wearing albeit a quick full charge.I love the blood oxygen also especially with covid and RSV and all the other horrible stuff around.They need to figure out a body temperature feature.i take that back it does measure I will figure that out so thanks for that Merry Xmas 🎄
I have the previous model and wouldn't be without it. It is expensive but can be had cheaper refurbished from Apple Store. Apart from health tracking, it is the most versatile piece of tech with so many useful functions.
Steve
Thanks Danny
I had my watch stolen three years ago with my Kardia attached to the back. I replaced the Kardia but I needn't have bothered. My Apple watch serves me well and accurately, not only alerting me to AF but it also has a very effective fall feature used in conjunction with your mobile. It calls your designated emergency number if it detects a fall and you don't respond to the watch.
Ahhh yes I forgot about the fall function.i have slipped down the stairs many times.Shame some people want to steal but this is the UK these days.merry crimbo 🌲🌲🎄
Could anyone recommend a good android smart watch as my phone and PC are android. I use fitbit charge 5 but its a bit old fashioned and Google has taken it over
I LOVE my iwatch. Wouldn't be without it. I am upset right now because for whatever reason my ECG function is not working. I've tried everything. My watch is 3 years old and I bought it "open box" so maybe time for a new updated one. I especially love the "fall" feature. Makes me feel so much better when I'm out and about. My watch also had the "cellular" feature which is so convenient if I don't have my phone with me. They are very expensive but in my opinion worth it.
Thanks for sharing your experience.yes that’s the only problem with refurbed etc.Its Xmas go on treat yourself lol iwatch ultra 2 smart wristband job done merry Xmas ❄️🌲🎄
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