Samsung Watch says AF - Holter says Sinus Rythmn

[loopy66]

Morning All

This is my first post and I am looking for others who maybe in this posistion.

I was having chest discomfort, left arm and into my neck (still do occasionally). My Samsung watch was saying AF everytime I had these 'events' so I went to my GP. I was sent straight to a&e to ensure I was not having any kind of heart episode which thankfully I was not. No AF on the 12 lead monitor and at that time no AF on my watch.

GP arranged a 24 hour Holter which was completed and yesterday I was given the results. Everytime I had that horrible feeling in my chest I pushed the patient event button and checked my watch - Everytime showing AF !

GP rang me yesterday with the results and I do not have AF thank goodness, so the watch was wrong. The holter did show Sinus Rythmn ? She did mention another word which I forget but she said it was a normal result and not to be worried. She is arranging a 72 hour holter though just to be on the safe side. Heart rate at rest seems to be around 88 - 98.

My father had undiagnosed cardiomyopathy (spelling?) I have been previously tested for this and was given the all clear.

I am still having these 'events' and am interested to know if anyone else has been in this position and what if anything I can do for myself to stop them. I wont ever trust the health aspect of my watch again thats for sure !

[Stentsandrun]

Well, it just goes to show what I and quite a lot of people on here have been saying for ages - Don't rely on "smart" watches for anything other than a guide, usually while exercising in whatever form it might be. Better word for them would be anxiety watches, as I think you might agree!

I have just read an article by Sophie Raworth (A decent runner and all round nice lady but not medically trained), going into the changes she has made to her life due to her Garmin watch reporting on her heart rate variability, something that can actually only be relied on when measured on proper medical equipment, not a sports watch. I don't know why people take any notice of laymen on You-tube or Instagram, personally.

Glad you are OK anyway.

[loopy66 in reply to Stentsandrun]

HI thanks for the response - Have to admit I was quite concerned until I got this test result. Ill have the 72 hour just for 100% safety and I do 100% have 'events' I have never had previously but now I think ok its just a small change and nothing to worry about. Thank goodness my GP was straight on it and gave me the reassurance I needed.

[Borderterriorist]

My consultant EP was rather scathing about them, certainly in terms of diagnosing what sort of arrhythmia I was having so I haven't gone down that road.

[LucyBoo21]

I have a Samsung watch and mine occasionally shows AF or inconclusive.I went to my GP who sent me to my cardiologist and my episodes are sinus tachycardia.

So the watch could tell something was not right but it's thankfully it's not true AF.

My GP/specialist said the watches are useful as they can look at the ECG's and work out what was happening from them but obviously they don't take their results as gospel and work it out themselves.

[loopy66 in reply to LucyBoo21]

I think that's the thing isn't it, don't ignore but don't worry until a medical professional has given you the all clear or not ..

[Fullofheart]

The holter did show Sinus Rythmn ? Sinus rhythm also referred to as NSR or normal sinus rhythm means normal rhythm so that's good news for you 😊

[loopy66 in reply to Fullofheart]

Yes I was very relieved but also very confused because these events are new to me and often uncomfortable. I suppose it's just a change in my body that I need to get used yo or comfortable with.

[Gigi70]

dear Loopy

I am not surprised about the AF watch issue but am surprised your GP is not checking out your symptom of classic angina, I began angina at your age. You should be referred to a cardiologist and likely have an angiogram to see if your arteries are blocked - this is the main cause of angina and your symptoms are classic.

As for the smart watch / I have an iwatch and it is great but when I get ectopics it cannot compute / gives inconclusive result on the ecg and records High heart rate readings! Very unerving.

Is the angina just exertion triggered?

Michèle

[loopy66 in reply to Gigi70]

Hi Thanks for that info I'll definitely enquire with cardiology when I go for my 72 hour ecg fitting.

My events (whatever theyare) can be excertion, sat watching TV or both so no real pattern. Currently sat on sofa and I'm having it now so basically no idea lol

[Gigi70 in reply to loopy66]

definitely / focus on the chest and arm pain it’s far more serious than the watch reading! 🙂

[scentedgardener]

I did consider a watch but decided against as I find it uncomfortable to have anything close fitting on my arm. I did buy a 6 lead Kardia, and have taken readings from that to my cardiology appointments when they have been reviewed with interest. Of course they only give you a 30 second snap shot when sitting down.I acknowledge they will not be as accurate as a 12 lead ECG done by professionals, but even those are open to interpretation by whoever is reading it. I had some ECGs done by paramedics and in A&E, paramedics and 3 doctors in A&E said atrial flutter, cardiologist said no, atrial fibrillation. Both arrthymias but different .

[L8Again]

A number of smart devices are cleared by the FDA to monitor AF but not to diagnose the condition.

Eighteen months ago my wife’s Apple Watch and KardiaAlive 6 lead ECG monitor detected AF. My wife took her KardiaAlive traces to her GP who said that there was absolutely no evidence of AF. She booked my wife in for an ECG which confirmed the GP’s diagnosis.

As my wife’s primary medical concern was episodes of TLoC, we consulted with a private cardiologist and paid for a 14 day holter monitor. The results of this monitoring detected a period of paroxysmal AF but with normal heart rates. The cardiologist confirmed that it was AF but the presentation was unusual and it is unlikely that a GP would have seen this particular type of presentation. My wife is now on Edoxaban but no other AF medication.

[bluemoon572]

I also wear a Samsung smartwatch and tend to have PACs and PVCs and infrequent short runs of SVT. The watch interprets erroneously each irregular rhythm as A Fib. The cardiologist who interprets the rhythm (for a set fee per month) issues the correct rhythm. Samsung is quick to state that the watch's purpose is not intended to diagnose heart attacks or,as I interpret it,warnings of same. Your cardiologist,who knows your symptoms,will advise you if you need stress testing or other pertinent tests for those symptoms