Help making sense of smart watch ecg

[HC74_2]

Hi,

I have been using a Samsung galaxy watch to track symptoms alongside formal cardiac investigation. I got this ecg recording from my watch. The circled bits happened with what felt like extra/skipped beats. But they don't look like PACs or PVCs does anyone know what they are?

For context, I have PACs and PVCs confirmed by a halter, very low burden within healthy range. But i sometimes feel mutliple in a row and the medical tests don't tend to coincide so I'm trying to see if I can catch it on the watch.

Cardiologist has offered to look over some watch recordings if I catch anything significant. But i don't want to waste his time if these aren't of any importance

[JHutton1994]

Unfortunately we are not allowed to interpret ECGs here, and anyone who did should have their interpretation treated with suspicion. The only safe way for you to know if that's significant is to get the cardiologist to review it. You're not wasting anyone's time, don't worry.

[L8Again]

You could buy a 6 lead KardiaAlive ECG monitor for c.£100. Even then do not be surprised if GPs and cardiologists ignore the information that the device provides.

My wife’s device picked up suspected AF. The GP looked at the graphs and was adamant that it was not showing AF. A full ECG was inconclusive. We paid for a 14 day holter monitor which showed one period of AF (after 10 days) with a similar graphical presentation to that picked up by the KardiaAlive. A cardiologist confirmed that it was paroxysmal AF with an unusual presentation.

Smart devices are trusted by some doctors to monitor known conditions but there appears to be little trust in the use of these devices for diagnosing conditions. That said, one needs to be wary. My wife now has a pacemaker set to a minimum level of 60bps. Occasionally, her Apple Watch will detect a low heart rate. We are told this is of no clinical significance. It could be down to movement of the watch on her wrist or some ectopic beats.

[HC74_2 in reply to L8Again]

Cardiology recommended Kardia and offered to read it. The issue for me is it often takes so long to set up the simple watch ecg that the ectopics have stopped by the time it records, so I feel Kardia would have the same issue

[Tos92]

In addition to what others have said, also remember that the watches are very sensitive to movement. Even sitting in the wrong position when taking a reading can give an inaccurate report. If you have a cardiologist, do show them the readings as a precaution. If you experience any unusual symptoms that are out of the norm for you, call 111 or see your GP as soon as you can.

All the best.

Tos

[HC74_2 in reply to Tos92]

This was why I originally posted about it, I can't tell if it's just artifact/noise from even slight movement because it looks too extreme

[Ennasti]

What you have circled is simply movement and or interference. When looking at an ecg you only need to be looking at the PQRS and T waves, and the rate. This is a diagram of the PQRST waves. The items you have circled do not look like either a pac or a pvc.

Diagram of PQRST

[Ennasti in reply to Ennasti]

PACs are a little harder for the layman to always recognise because they can be just a small blip next to a normal beat. Here is a sample image of a pvc. They’re easier to spot generally.

PVC example.

[HC74_2 in reply to Ennasti]

Thank you so much this is what I was looking for - confirmation that any big changes in the ecg like this are just movement unless the waves differ. Really appreciate it!