Should I be worried

[babs1234]

this is happening almost daily. Not exercising. Should I be worried. It does make me feel very jittery TIA

[Buzby62]

I would check your heart rate variability for the same time, if that is high at the same time it’s likely to be AF. Have you done an ECG while bpm is elevated to check for AF?

Apple does not always pick up AF in history or alert modes but HRV has been good indicator for me that something is going on.

Best wishes

[babs1234 in reply to Buzby62]

Hi thanks for your reply. I have AF but this is happening a lot recently. Like jumping fro 39 to 120. Usually mid morning and yes I feel quite out of sorts when it’s happening. I was told to come off bisoprasol and only take when my heart races so I’m thinking maybe that’s what’s causing it

[Buzby62 in reply to babs1234]

I thought you just had AF episodes (paroxysmal) and not in AF persistently. If having an AF episode those highs and lows look quite normal to me when you’re having an episode. Depending what model watch you have you can take an ECG to confirm AF or Sinus Rhythm. When in AF the standard heart rate monitoring on the watch is not that helpful in my experience and you need the ECG which works over 30 seconds and gives you an average rate.

Link to Apple support page support.apple.com/en-us/HT2...

If you have an SE model Apple Watch you will not be able to do an ECG.

ECG in the UK or EKG in the US is the same thing.

[Drone01 in reply to Buzby62]

I have a 6-lead Kardia and the app works perfectly to do 30 second ECGs on my iPhone SE

[Buzby62 in reply to Drone01]

It’s the SE watch that doesn’t support ECG, as it says at the bottom of the support page I included the link for. I have a series 6 watch and used it initially on an iPhone 6s.

Best wishes

[mav7 in reply to Buzby62]

Hi Buzby

Do you think the Apple SE's heart rate function is equal to the main Apple model ? Any other benefits besides EKG ?

Just curious, always considering purchase.

[Buzby62 in reply to mav7]

Hi Mav, another link support.apple.com/en-us/HT2...

This explains the two methods of capturing heart information on the watch.

1 Optically from the sensor on the back (less accurate, especially when in AF when some of the extra beats can be faint) for background checks while wearing. Also affected by loose fit or arm movements etc.

2 Electrically for ECG through electrodes on the back and the crown wheel forming a circuit across your body through a finger on your other hand. Has to be started manually from the ECG app in the watch when sitting still.

The SE does not have the electrodes but works the same as other models optically.

The optical background checks can be a good indicator of irregularities in my experience but the ECG electrically is much more accurate especially when in AF and also gives your average rate over the 30 second check.

You can also use the electrodes in the Heart Rate app and it switches from optical to electrical just by putting your finger on the wheel.

I recorded 40+ episodes of AF in the ECG app in 3 years but only once was it captured officially at my GP surgery to confirm the watch result. None of my investigations ever found my AF.

[mav7 in reply to Buzby62]

Appreciate the detailed reply.

[mav7 in reply to babs1234]

I was told to come off bisoprasol and only take when my heart races

Best to contact your doctor and inform him or nurse of the frequent heart rate spikes.

[Iamfuzzyduck]

is it the same time every day? Are you doing something before hand like eating, or walking or drinking caffeine? Is there a pattern?

[babs1234 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Usually mid morning

[Singwell in reply to babs1234]

Might it be a post breakfast sugar spike? I was getting these and had to change to no dried fruit in my muesli and no added honey and mixing different oatmeals to slow down the effect of carbohydrates first thing. Sometimes I have a savoury breakfast. I've now stopped getting the morning spikes.

[mjames1]

Is that from the Apple Watch? If it is then take an EKG when your heart rate elevates. That is the only way you're gonna know exactly what is going on. To get real time heart rates on the watch just put it in workout mode.

Jim

[babs1234 in reply to mjames1]

How do I take EKG? Yes it’s Apple Watch

[mjames1 in reply to babs1234]

When you see your heart rate goes up, you open up the EKG app in Apple health. Then you push the watch crown with your finger and it will take an EKG that can then be sent to your doctor or analyzed yourself if you are able to. The watch itself will also try to analyze some of the EKGs, and while it's mostly correct, it doesn't replace a human quite yet.

Practice taking EKGs when everything is OK, so when your heart starts acting up, taking an EKG will be second nature to you.

Jim

[Buzby62 in reply to mjames1]

Link to Apple support page support.apple.com/en-us/HT2...

The ECG app should be pre installed on Series 6 watch onwards so can skip the install instructions. SE series does not support ECG/EKG app.

[Goldenre in reply to Buzby62]

I have a series 8 watch and SE phone and I do ECGs frequently.

[Buzby62 in reply to Goldenre]

It’s the SE watch that doesn’t support ECG, as it says at the bottom of the support page I included the link for. I have a series 6 watch and used it initially on an iPhone 6s.

Best wishes

[babs1234 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim

[Goldenre in reply to babs1234]

I am unable to go to your link. I get this message. "You have been restricted in this community. Please contact this community's administrator to find out why." I had runs of afib yesterday which were sent to my iPhone SE. I can print them out.

[Goldenre in reply to Goldenre]

Administrator?

[mjames1 in reply to Goldenre]

With the new rules links are not allowed so probably best not to flag administration or the whole thread may be deleted. You can simply just go to the Apple Watch support page on Apple's website. But the clarify again, you can use the iPhone SE with the Apple Watch and get EKGs. It's only the Apple Watch SE that does not do EKGs.

Jim

[Buzby62 in reply to mjames1]

Apple support links are allowed, I’ve checked with admin previously.

[Buffafly]

Does it jump up and then go down again immediately? Mine does that quite frequently, someone suggested that if you have an ectopic the watch registers it as tachycardia. I ignore mine as long as I feel ok.

[babs1234 in reply to Buffafly]

I feel very out of sorts when it’s happening

[Jetcat]

hi babs. My fitbit watch gives me the same readings when I’m in AFIB. my readings are usually 40 to 160s

[Teresa156]

Hi Babs,

Did you manage to get a reading, by doing an EKG on your applewatch in the end?

[babs1234 in reply to Teresa156]

Hi Teresa. I’ve just turned the app on (I think). I’m technophobic so I’ll see later if I’ve done it right. Thanks

[Teresa156]

Hi Babs,

You actually do the EKG on your watch and your watch will tell you if you are in Afib. You need the Health app too, on your phone, in the echocardiagram part, to view the results and the health app will tell you lots of other things too that it’s monitoring you for. It’s really easy to set up and use and probably sounds scary to set up and do, but if you’re not using that, you aren’t getting the most out of your watch. It will all be a lot easier than you think, I promise 😊

[babs1234 in reply to Teresa156]

Thanks. I have got the app on my phone and watch does alert me to AF I’ve just opened up the ECG on the phone. Do I need to open it up on watch too or will that be automatic

[Teresa156]

Hi Babs,

To try and make it easier for you, You can do the EKG right away at any time on your watch. Press the side button ( the one that sticks out, like a manual watch on right side) until all the little app faces show and look for a red squiggle showing a heart beat on a white background, that is the EKG app on the watch. Touch that with your finger, to open it. Then you put your index finger on the right button that you pressed earlier and put your thumb on the other side of the watch, to steady your hand and press the right button, for thirty seconds, stay as still as possible abd it should take an EKG for you.

There are diagrams and help on line from Apple too.

[Buzby62 in reply to Teresa156]

I’ve included the Apple support instructions link in a previous reply.

Hope this helps

ECG app icon

[Teresa156 in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks Buzby, hopefully Babs will see this. It should open a whole new world for her to see for her Applewatch.

[babs1234 in reply to Buzby62]

Mine is Apple Watch SE. Will I be able to get it on that ? Thanks so much for your help

[Buzby62 in reply to babs1234]

The iPhone SE is fine but if the Apple Watch is SE series then it does not support the ECG app.

[Teresa156 in reply to babs1234]

Hi Babs,

Unfortunately yes, applewatch SE doesn’t have the ECG facility.

You can still view data though relating to heart rate and sleep plus other things, on the health app.

[babs1234 in reply to Teresa156]

Yes. Thanks Teresa, I have all the other health things. Going to treat myself to another watch that included that ECG app

[Teresa156 in reply to babs1234]

That sounds good, Babs - and probably the best option and will hopefully take all the guesswork out of whether you’re in AF or not. A cheaper option is to get a Kardia hand held device that you can also take an ECG on. You put it in a bare knee or ankle and touch that with your fingers. It also has an app, that you can view ECGs on. It’s very much like they use in hospitals. You can get a 1 lead, or 6 Lead ( more detail) They use 6 lead in hospital. With either, you just place on your knee, or ankle. They’re very small, no lead and have a battery. The 6 lead is about £150 thoigh May have gone up a bit with the cost of living. Not quite as convenient as a watch as you always have a watch on. I have both, but do use my watch more. The Kardia also detects Afib.

It’s very easy to use, once you have done it a couple of times 😊 available from The British Heart foundation and also Kardia direct.

[babs1234 in reply to Teresa156]

Thanks. I haven’t got an app with a squiggle I’ll try and google or YouTube it

[Ppiman]

Smartwatch heart rate monitors seem to have what appear to me to be blips, maybe the result of poor wrist contact. Does your watch have an ECG app on it? If so, I would try using this instead of relying on the heart rate detection when you feel your heart racing. This app offers a different and completely accurate way to measure the pulse and will also show up any rhythm problems at the same time.

Steve

[babs1234 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve my watch doesn’t have the ECG app on it so I’m going to treat myself to a new one.

[Ppiman in reply to babs1234]

I think you’ll find it useful. Mine is getting a lot of use today because of my bouncing heart! The Apple Watch is not reporting it as AF though, but “Inconclusive” so do be prepared for that. Mine today is a mix of NSR (normal beats) and lots of ectopic beats but feels like strong palpitations as if AF is trying to break through!

Steve

[Ersilia2]

That was happening to me when I was on Bisoprolol, heart rate would go up , I felt weird in the head then heart rate would go down .up to 130 then down to 38. Told Doc I couldn’t tolerate the Bisoprolol. Changed to Nebivolol

[babs1234 in reply to Ersilia2]

Do you find that better. He told me to stop taking the Bisoprolol daily but just take double if needed, which is almost daily anyway

[Ersilia2 in reply to babs1234]

I put up with the Bisoprolol for 6 weeks,for me the Nebivolol seems better, only been on it for 3 weeks so far , fingers crossed. Hope you get sorted out good luck to you.

[Alan1947]

My heart rate used to go fast-slow-fast-slow etc at times. I thought it was tachy-Brady syndrome but my EP said it was a form of AF. Ablation seems to have cured it (for now!)

[babs1234 in reply to Alan1947]

Hmmm that’s what he advised me. Dont think I’ve got the bottle !

[Foreverfibber]

Is this something your doctor is aware of? Do you have a portable EKG device like Kardia so you can capture the rhythm when it occurs?

[babs1234 in reply to Foreverfibber]

Yes I’ve been diagnosed with AFib. I’m going to purchase an Apple Watch 9 with ECG app

[Foreverfibber in reply to babs1234]

I purchased Kardia which is not alway accurate at diagnosing fib or flutter. I also have a FAX app on my phone so I can send a copy of the rhythm to my doctor.

[etheral in reply to babs1234]

The 6 lead Kardia gives you and the doc the most information.

[kdra]

looks like you have SVT spike same time every day? And goes away? Happens to me sometimes on my walks only last briefly. Tell your doc for his information.