Smart watch to monitor heart

I have the Apple Watch Series 4 (current is Series 5). It has the heart rate sensor and EKG. I have a heart rhythm issue similar to Afib called Supra Ventricular tachycardia. I do moderate running for exercise. I like the watch and think both bpm and ekg work well. My cardiologist says his reading is its usually pretty accurate with occasional "artifacts". My only complaint is on rare occasions, while running, bpm will not update. I'm told its because I need to tighten the band on runs so sense doesn't bounce over skin. Overall, I love the watch and keep an eye on the bpm running or not. I use the Cardiogram app to display my pulse rate over time - it displays a daily graph.

I very much like AliveCor as well. UCSF in CA has the “Healthy Heart” studies you can join to help in the fight against heart disease. It is really great!

The Apple watch is a better buy, it does so much more and is FDA approved as well. It does not require an additional smartphone.

That's how it is for me but I was just diagnosed last week so this is new to me. I really appreciate this site & hopw to visit it often.
Thank You Mayo !

@phillipdobrien, how are you doing with the new diagnosis of a-fib? Got any questions?

I'm 6 mos into fib/flutter, 7 wks post ablation with continuing rhythm issues. I know that's a short period but I am trying to figure this out. I am ready to purchase a smartwatch that can detect fib and hopefully other issues. There are many watches and claims but I wonder if anyone is using one?

I have an Abbott "Insertable cardiac monitor" ($9,500) implanted which only detects fib and to my chagrin is only reports to my electrophysiologist.

I was diagnosed with AFIB in May 2020 and after 2 echo cardiogram and an ablation in Oct 20 with further drug treatment, I finally achieved normal sinus rthymn in mid Jan 21. I monitor this status daily with FITBIT Sense smartwatch. The reason I went with the FITBIT Sense was it was one of the first along with Apple to have the approved FDA ECG app about Nov 20. I did not want to use the Apple smartwatch since it would require me to also purchase the Apple cellphone ( I had just gotten an new Android cell phone in Aug 20). Cost and ease was my reasons for FITBIT. All monitoring app software require a either a monthly or annual subscription, even the one advertised on Amazon ($180) for their device to self monitor AFIB.

@wa34937, this is such a great discussion topic - smart watches, wearables and apps to track heart rate, heart rhythms issues and activity levels. You'll notice that I moved your posts to this existing discussion called "Smart watch to monitor heart" that @nene22 started a while back. I think you'll appreciate the feedback and recommendations from members like @rainyday541 @judyrich @dogmom1 @ronbyrd @elwood @mayofeb2020 @johnbishop @lizzy102 @galevin. @mhanso83 thanks for adding your recommendation and explaining how you use FitBit.

How's everyone doing with their tracking device of choice? What are the pros and cons of your choices?

I was using a Kardia Mobile pad with my old iWatch series 3 and also got the Kardia Apple watch band. I think it may be more accurate than the iWatch heart monitor but not sure I trust either one since both have told me frequently I was having AFIB when I'm pretty sure I wasn't. Now I have a series 6 iWatch with the new ECG app and it pretty much tells me I have Sinus Rhythm. I also have the new Kardia Mobile pad that does the 6 lead reading and it consistently tells me I have Sinus Rhythm with Supraventricular Ectopy. I also signed up for the Mayo Clinic ECG Study on the Apple series 6 watch - https://apps.apple.com/US/app/id1564146078

I use the apple watch to detect AFIB. It's very helpful to record AFIB, heart rate highs and lows and the watch data (exported) has been very beneficial to bring to my appointments.