Automatic Irregular Heart Beat Notification (AFib)

Thanks for your reply.

I think you need to talk to your cardiologist, hopefully a good one. Everyone is different and one's AFIB symptoms evolve. Also, the science addressing it has evolved. If you need continuous monitoring, there is a very small sensor that can be implanted beneath the skin above your heart. It comes with a box that you keep on the nightstand. The chip downloads to the box via a puck that you hold to your chest, and the box uploads via cellular.

It is a Medtronic Reveal LINQ.

https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/healthcare-professionals/products/cardiac-rhythm/cardiac-monitors/reveal-linq-icm.html

Might even be a new/improved version now. For some, AFIB can be fixed. It's an electrical problem that requires a specialist.

Appreciate you taking the time to post. Booked to cardiologist next month. Medtronic looks interesting. I'll check it out.

As I've related before, AFIB is prevalent amongst the fit. Often it is discovered when one experiences a stroke or death.

If you need a monitor because you have AFib, you should stick to a medical device for that purpose.
Apple watches use the OHR to measure HR and HRV and plots those to check if you could have an AFib. There is no use of the ECG because the circuit is not closed. The same would apply to Garmin watches. ECQ only works if both an arm and the other hand have contact to the watch.

The worst thing: If you move to much, the Apple Watch will plot no table because OHR data will be insufficient and it will not warn you.

Yeah. It hit me unexpectedly when I jumped on my bike to start a ride. Heart rate spiked to 150bpm during warm up (I'm 52). Just a tad unusual . Glad I had a mild Afib with no actual heart attack enzymes. I'm taking it as a warning to start monitoring.  

Yeah, I was aware that the Apple /Samsung watches have limitations because they only have one lead compared to the machine I was on in hospital with 12 leads. 

But, I did see that there was an empirical study with 400k Apple watch users and from memory it demonstrated accuracy of better than 99% in recognising Afib. Samsung had similar results. But of course, 99% of what? Recognised Afib in better than 99% of readings taken. I haven't read the study, but the question is, what about the watches capability to take a reading in less than ideal conditions ie as you say  during movement. I'm pretty sure Fitbit can't take measurements dur8ng movement or if HR is above 120 or below 50. That kinda bucks me up, because my RHH sits a bit below 50.

The good thing is though, that these watches have to have the ECG function approved with FDA and TGA in OZ to be able to use the term ECG. They have to have medical efficacy. This is why cardiologists like them. Not sure how non approved watches get to use that term also. 

The Apple watch, Fitbit and Samsung have an Irregular Heart Beat Notification function which take periodic ECG measurements to detect abnormal beats and prompt you to take a manual reading. But in Oz if it not yet activated for some reason. But Garmin and Pixel don't seem to have this. I would have thought this was essential.

It exists in Australia in some models. You can see a list on Garmin website. But, they don't do the Irrefular Heart Rate Notification unfortunately.