Glitch or cause for concern? - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Glitch or cause for concern?

Mina23 profile image
9 Replies

This is from my garmin. No real symptoms with the drops in heart rate. It has happened a few times with no real pattern, and I can't seem to 'catch' it happening to check my pulse manually. I am being investigated for unexplained syncope but I am not feeling anything when these supposed heart rate drops happen. From experience on this forum, is this a glitch in my watch or a cause for concern?

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Mina23 profile image
Mina23
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9 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

Hi Mina23

Welcome to the forum!

Are you taking any medications?

I have a sudden drop sometimes in my pulse rate due to the medication I’m on for my heart rate. I’ve been advised by the GP not to worry about it as these drops in my pulse rate are very quick and don’t last more than a second or two. I was told that if they aren’t causing any symptoms, such as feeling like I’m going to pass out or becoming unconscious, then they are not a cause for concern.

In addition to that, watches which record our heart rate are also sensitive and may not always be accurate in the data they provide. I often use mine as an indicator as opposed to interpreting the reading as a genuine reading of my heart health.

It seems that you’ve already got some investigations going on at the moment anyway. I think it maybe useful to suggest a 24 hour holter monitor test to your doctor and see what they say. This can capture any abnormal heart beats.

Let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Tos

Mina23 profile image
Mina23 in reply toTos92

Thank you. I am inclined to believe they are glitches rather than genuine. As you say, if no symptoms, then probably nothing to worry about.

Dear Mina23

A warm welcome to you, I hope that you find the forum as supportive and informative as I and many others do.

So what is going on? and why the worry? it seems that there is something making you take notice of the readings on your watch.

First can I say that the watch can give false readings just with a drop of sweat or oil on the sensors , so it would be wise to clean it first and see if it still happens, it not unusual to wear one of these devices 24/7 now.

But I have a feeling that your worry is over something more and regardless of your readings you can alway bring that concern to your Dr who can run some tests that can back up/dismiss your own findings.

Keep a record { app or paper based } so you have something to show them, even if you can't see a pattern, there maybe one to a medically trained eye.

Above all get rid of this nagging doubt so that it doesn't grow into a problem.

Its great that you don't feel anything during these episodes , but not all episodes become physical at the beginning.

Take care and please keep us informed , hope this has been a help to you.

Mina23 profile image
Mina23 in reply to

Thank you. You are very kind. I try not to wear my watch too often as it can just cause unnecessary concern. I am already having tests but never know whether to mention this or not. If it's a common occurrence that other people experience with their smart watches, and I don't have symptoms, then I will just wait and see what happens.

in reply toMina23

Mention everything, what may not seem important to you might be to them, let them decide , good luck you are in my thoughts.

Mina23 profile image
Mina23

Kind of back where I started...a real drop in heart rate or a glitch?

MikeThePike profile image
MikeThePike in reply toMina23

Mina23 you are asking a question that no one here can authoritatively answer, not even Garmin! Just assume that the readings are correct and see a cardiologist.

Palpman profile image
Palpman

Two spikes down to 30 bpm is normal if you have 2 'missed beats'. Not a glitch nor a concern but then it's just me as nothing makes me concerned.

Mina23 profile image
Mina23 in reply toPalpman

I was thinking about your comments, and I don't think that's how a garmin works. From my understanding the reading shown are an average of your heart rate across two minutes, so the first dip was from 9.08-9.10 and averaged 32bpm. The more I think about it the more I question it, as surely the brain is not getting enough oxygen at 32bpm and you would pass out. Perhaps, for some reason my pulse isn't strong enough to be detected...I think that must be a better explanation? I do think your outlook is good though...I think 'worry' often causes more problems than the actual issue!

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