AFib notifications on Fitbit watch

[Crimson2020]

My Fitbit watch picks up my AFib episodes. I have shown a 7 second screenshot with 10 readings from 46 bpm to 161 bpm.

I am aware of the limitations of Fitbit’s technology when compared with the more robust Kardia mobile device. However, can I calculate a meaningful overall heart rate from this? Is it reasonable to infer a bpm of 81.6, being the average.

I have the same issue on my Kardia mobile with a 30 second ecg ranging from 45 to 90 showing a bpm result of 67.

Also, is the presence of a single >100 reading a positive sign as the safe range is below 100 bpm ? I can also say that this was the only reading >100 in a 5 minute segment.

It would be interesting to see others’ opinions, particularly those that use a Fitbit watch.

[mjames1]

I would not try to make heads or tails out of what the Fitbit is telling you other than you need a more precise analysis of what is going on. What did the Kardia say? Have you shown the EKG to an electrophysiologist?

Jim

[Crimson2020 in reply to mjames1]

The Fitbit only gives notifications when I am at rest, almost exclusively when I am asleep. Hence I cannot give a direct comparison with my Kardia mobile.

In the example I gave (from later in the same day) the Kardia mobile 30 second ecg determination was 67 bpm with a max of 90 and a min of 45.

A few years ago, I showed my ecg to my GP and he referred me to a cardiologist. I did show this to the cardiologist but as luck would have it, I was having an AFib episode when the nurse gave me a ecg. Hence the cardiologist had first hand evidence of my AFib.

This was fortuitous as my episodes randomly occur at 12 to 15 day intervals.

A subsequent 5 day Holter monitor picked up an Afib episode lasting about 18 hours. My cardiologist advised that this indicated a burden of 15%, although I have subsequently calculated this as nearer to 8 to 10%.

PS I have never seen an EP.

[mjames1 in reply to Crimson2020]

Ep's are the experts. I wouldn't trust GP or even a cardiologist to read an ekg. But maybe your situation is different. I'm in the US.

Jim

[Crimson2020]

Thank you Jim, this is interesting.

Out of interest, are AFib sufferers routinely referred to am EP or a cardiologist in the US?

It certainly appears to be the case in the UK that the cardioligist is always the first referral point afer the GP.

I guess with the NHS the situation is more prescribed than private referrals, here or in the States.

(Sorry about the possible pun)

[Dodgerguy in reply to Crimson2020]

I’m in the U.S. 50 years old. I was diagnosed with AFib in July of 2024 and was hospitalized for a week until I finally converted without a CardioVersion thank the lord! . My Cardiologist had me on Amiodarone, Metoprolol and Heparin ( in hospital )then Eliquis at home. A month after discharge he took me off the Eliquis and referred me to a EP to decide about the Amiodarone and possibly oblation. The EP took me off Amiodarone immediately following the appointment. He said I was too young and if I needed a pill for rhythm there are safer alternatives. He also said my AFib could had been a one off so he said I wasn’t currently a candidate for one at that time. As of today I haven’t had any episodes I am aware of . He had me wear two Holter Monitors, guess they came out ok because he has not called. I don’t see him till next month ( he had cancelled last weeks appointment). He recoil but an Apple Watch which I did. Currently on Metoprolol 50 mg XL twice daily.

[Libluce68]

My Fitbit has picked up AFib a few times over the last few years - mine started after a botched Endoscopy where I went into shock - I had a few episodes in 2023 brought to the attention of my GP who did nothing - only one in 2024 (October) when I had COVID then I started with dizziness and a few vestibular migraines in December/January and it was only then an out of hours doctor said it needed investigating - so here I am with a 7 day heart monitor which ends in a couple of days - still waiting for ENT appointment (currently 18 week wait) and told it’ll take cardiology at the hospital will take a month to send results of heart monitor to GP then he/she will decide on treatment

[MaryCa]

I've never tried to average out my heart rate from Fitbit, kardia or withings watch. There is an AFib finding section on Fitbit and it shows on mine as attached.

Fitbit screenshot of AFib episodes picked up while asleep

[momist]

It's a pity that you only are getting these reports whilst asleep. You say you are aware of the limitations of the Fitbit, I hope you realise that when in AF some beats might occur when the heart is not yet filled sufficiently to generate a pulse, and therefore the Fitbit will miss seeing those beats and low-read that actual rate.