Newly diagnosed with AF

[AAW2024]

Hi.. I'm newly diagnosed with AF and started taking beta blockers and blood thinners. Just wanted to know the best fitness tracker to use that would help with monitoring my excercise and keep track of my hearts condition.

[Cavalierrubie]

Hi, l think you will get lots of help on this subject if you go on the AF forum here at HU. They are very knowledgeable on all the devices.

[AAJJTt]

Hi, sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, I’ve been with this condition for 5 years now.

There are lots of devices available, I have 2 devices which I use for exercise and Afib management:

Exercise, I have been a great fan of Polar for a long time ( pre Afib) having used many of their monitors and now smart watches. I initially went for them, as I felt they had the most experience of measuring heart rates. Currently I’m using a Vantage 3 with a H10 chest strap. I found it meets all my training needs, is accurate and gives me the data I want. I am not a fan of optical sensors, so use a chest monitor ((electrical).

Afib: I use a Kardiamobile 6L, I have found it’s determination (used in conjunction with my iPad) to be accurate where my Afib is concerned. I use the free app and the standard service. It is FDA cleared and has at least, one NICE recommendation (2022).

That said, my episodes have been very distinct too - high, irregular HR with RVR causing the familiar chest flutterings and trembling; no other symptoms. I really don’t need a Kardia reading to know I am having an episode.

I haven’t had an episode for a number of years now. However, I still use the Kardiamobile occasionally as control, just to check, especially if I feel any different. Experience has led me to be confident in the device. Note - devices like these can addictive, best to use them wisely.

Some people swear by the Apple Watches. I have other Apple products but no experience of the watch. The advantage of watch is it does monitor and alert about Afib 24 x 7, I am a bit wary of this and felt it might create some anxiety. Taking my circumstances into account and being body- aware, I’m happy to use the 6L, when I think I need to.

By the way, this forum is good but there is another forum on this platform too, dedicated to this subject. Look for ‘Atrial Fibrillation Support’. Very active and supportive community; lots of advice and info.

[AAW2024 in reply to AAJJTt]

Thankyou for all your extensive information. I'm very new to this!! I've just experienced a week of increased heart flutters, after the initial "settling down" after starting medications. It's very unsettling!! . I've not seen a cardiologist yet... Long wait for appt. . So I've only been quietly looking at information.I've been having "palpatations" for several years (nothing done about it) but a severe wrist break 3 months ago, with obvious shock, increased them dramatically. The operation for plate in the wrist revealed AF pre op.

All very daunting now on Apixaban and bisoprolol.

[sandandkev]

Are you going to have any procedures to reduce the af?

[AAW2024 in reply to sandandkev]

None offered. Yet... as I've not seen a cardiologist .. I'm 12 weeks into an estimated 28 week wait for appt. . The AF was picked up 3 months ago after i fell and broke my wrist and required surgery.

[cbc0510]

I use a Garmin vivosmart 4 which I picked as it's just a band and a bit less intrusive than a full on smart watch.

[RoyMacDonald]

I use a Garmin, but the chest strap kind. That's how I first detected the AF during exercise. It's very accurate.

All the best.

Roy

[AAW2024 in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Thanks very much

[Bismark]

I second the Polar with the strap around your chest and the app on my iphone. I found the Apple watch unreliable when I was using the rowing machine in the gym. The watch recorded my pulse rate at close to 200bpm which was incorrect.

[AAW2024 in reply to Bismark]

Thankyou for that info. All new to me!

[Hylda2]

I have an Apple Watch which can monitor my heart

[AAW2024 in reply to Hylda2]

Thankyou. I'm not sure if I should monitor or not. I mean, what does one do if it shows you're in an episode... I've just had a week of increased heart rate and palpitations... I think they've settled now. It's all very daunting!

[Hylda2 in reply to AAW2024]

Secret is to not get too hooked on it. Just try and go with the flow, hard as it might sound.