High heart rate momentary dips to 30s or 40s

[Scaredofsurgery]

In past few weeks, my Apple Watch shows rapid rise in heart rate when I go from reclining to sitting to standing position. Sometimes I feel a fluttering or pounding. The dip is just for a few seconds and then heat rate returns to normal (80s). This is happening more frequently. I have a joint replacement surgery scheduled for next month and wonder if this heart issue will increase my risk. Does anyone know if these are most likely PVCs? I’ve been stressed about the surgery and also had minor car accident a few weeks ago. I am being evacuated by a cardiologist and am wearing a Zio heart monitor now, but I’m worried and hoping to get some reassurance now!

[rhoffman86]

Hi there. Sounds like it could be PoTS or SVT? I have SVT, occasional PVC's, PAC's, and IST, that is something that happens to me on occasion. It usually happens when I am sick and have a fever and do anything like walk to the bathroom from the couch or up my stairs or a little exertion. It is good you have the ZIO patch on so it can catch these events and I assure you it will! The patch is how I was finally diagnosed and it caught a few SVT's that I didn't realize I was having. In any rate, you should have answers soon after the patch is sent in. In the meantime, slowly ease yourself from laying to seated and seated to standing and this should help a bit. Stay hydrated, avoid large meals, eliminate caffeine, and try to not worry (super hard, I know).

[Scaredofsurgery in reply to rhoffman86]

Thanks so much. Reassuring. Hard not to worry

[Spanaway]

Questions I'm not sure about I contact my cardiologist for expert opinion. Hope it doesn't effect your up coming procedure.

[Kevmal in reply to Spanaway]

My Apple Watch showed a very similar pattern of beats. Sudden large increases (160bpm) for very short duration and dropping to 40 bpm when going into a sitting position. This added significant amount of stress to steer I was already enduring.

The good news is that I had a complete cardio work up and nothing unusual was found.

Interestingly, the bpm either approximately doubled or halved from my regular 80bmp. I am now inclined to think this may be a problem with the watch algorithm!

[Scaredofsurgery in reply to Kevmal]

Thank you so much! Very reassuring!!

[rhoffman86 in reply to Kevmal]

My apple watch does not do a good job of tracking my heart rate either! It will randomly drop to 39 and up to 200 on occasion when my HR is normal. It isn't sustained, but it does happen to me as well. I think the fitbit had a better hr monitor but the apple watch did show my doctor proof of my SVT when I captured it on the ECG.

[Scaredofsurgery in reply to rhoffman86]

I wonder if the SVT causes the heart rate monitor to not be accurate. I’ve read on Apple Support site that people with PVCs might get halved and double readings due to premature beats

[rhoffman86 in reply to Scaredofsurgery]

It very well could be PVC's. Good to know!

[Kevmal]

My Apple Watch showed a very similar pattern of beats. Sudden large increases (160bpm) for very short duration and dropping to 40 bpm when going into a sitting position. This added significant amount of stress to stress that I was already enduring.

The good news is that I had a complete cardio work up and nothing unusual was found.

Interestingly, the bpm either approximately doubled or halved from my regular 80bmp. I am now inclined to think this may be a problem with the watch algorithm!