It appears that I have developed AFIB

[dreamshark]

I've had a very irregular heartbeat for many years now, but up until now it was just due to a multitude of PVCs and PACs, which are relatively harmless. About 2 weeks ago my Apple Watch Series 3 (which I have had for 9 months) suddenly started giving me Atrial Fibrillation Alerts. First it was just one every two or three days, but it quickly increased to 1-5 alerts per day. No symptoms, or symptoms too subtle to be sure of. My heart is not racing, I am not feeling faint or notably out of breath. Am I feeling a little light-headed? Maybe, or maybe that's just the adrenaline surge every time my watch sends me those scary alerts. 

Naturally this started while I was out of town and then it was a holiday weekend so I couldn't get hold of my Cardio caregiver. Called yesterday and got an appointment today for an EKG and a little monitor that I need to wear for two weeks. Nobody seemed to think this was an emergency since I don't have symptoms, but it's scaring me. 

Anyway, I went in today and got the little monitor taped to my chest. The EKG results were in my online account when I got home. 

"Atrial fibrillation with premature ventricular or aberrantly conducted complexes

... When compared with ECG of 14-OCT-2016 13:45, Atrial fibrillation is new"

The premature ventricular complexes are the PVCs I already knew about, but as the report says, the Atrial Fibrillation is new. 
Haven't heard back from cardiologist, but I imagine she'll just say to wait until the results of the monitor are in. That can take up to 4 weeks. 

Also, my left hip, which has been gradually recovering from some unknown trauma for the last 6 months, is hurting more again. 

All in all, I am feeling rather fragile. 
 

 

Comments

[davidwilford]

As Erin had an AFIB event three years ago, I think it would be good if she got her own Apple Watch. Our anniversary and her birthday are coming up this month, so I do have an opportunity to gift her. Any recommendations about Apple Watches? Erin already had an iPad and a MacBook, plus an iPhone 11, so what's one more device joining the party...

[dreamshark]

Probably a Series 4. The Series 3 (which I have) can detect AFIB. The Series 4 has more sensors, including some kind of ECG sensor that can do more. But before you spend that kind of money, make sure that she wants a watch that is monitoring her vital signs and sending helpful suggestions like, "Breathe!" and "Just one brisk walk will close your exercise ring for the day!" Not everybody likes that kind of thing.

If you don't mind my asking, what was this AFIB event like? Racing heartbeat? And did it resolve itself, or did it require some kind of medical intervention?

[davidwilford]

Erin woke me up that morning and asked me to listen to her heart, which was beating irregularly. So I took her to the ER at our hospital here and while they were evaluating her and about to administer an IV with a drug to treat it, it stopped. It hasn't happened since, thankfully.

As for the watch, maybe I'll get one first and then Erin can decide if she like one too. I have $600 in Costco cash waiting to be used, and that will cover the cost.

[quadong]

Off this thread, I recommended the Kardia EKG to Sharon, and I'll recommend it to you as well. It's only $90 instead of $600 and is supposed to be substantially more accurate than any of the various wrist devices. It is something you use when you want to check your heart, not for continuous monitoring. Continuous monitoring would just raise my anxiety (not to mention the unrelated pestering that Sharon describes), so I prefer checking when I'm concerned. It's a different kind of option.

[dreamshark]

Matt, did you send me email on this subject? Because i don't think I got it. Could you send it again?

[quadong]

Done.