Has anyone heard of Apple watch study for afib?

Posted by mekane @mekane, Sep 23 11:29am

It is 3 weeks after my ablation and just had my first doctor visit. We discussed when I will be getting off of my flecainide and metropolol. We also talked about the blood thinners and how I am just at a 3 on the rating scale. He told me about a study with apple watch where you can get off of the blood thinners and just have a supply on hand if you were to go into afib. I am wondering if anyone has done anything like this and what are pros and cons if I choose to do it. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Sirref | @sirref | Sep 23 2:16pm

There is a study. There is more than signing up. Ask your doctor for the details. Been on the study for almost a year in Dec.

mekane | @mekane | Sep 23 3:49pm

In reply to @sirref "There is a study. There is more than signing up. Ask your doctor for the details...." + (show)

Thank you. We are going to talk at next visit.

SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Sep 23 4:01pm

All I can tell you is that I keep track of my heart rhythm on my Apple Watch. About four years ago I had a bout of a-fib. My watch recorded it, sent the info to my iPhone automatically. From my phone I was able to print out the report and I took it to my doctor.

My watch also shows my blood oxygen levels.

mekane | @mekane | Sep 23 4:17pm

In reply to @mekane "Thank you. We are going to talk at next visit." + (show)

I would love to get off the blood thinners and just wonder about using the watch. I pretty much resigned myself to taking blood thinners forever and now I have this to think about. I guess my age, 76 and being a female with afib might help with the decision.

gloaming | @gloaming | Sep 23 7:53pm

In reply to @mekane "I would love to get off the blood thinners and just wonder about using the watch...." + (show)

The EP community seems to be settled on there being an elevated risk of thromboembolic stroke from dislodged clots from the left atrial appendage for several months, not days, after a successful ablation or after the last bout of AF. If I were an EP, and I am not, and knowing what I have read here and there, I would advise my patients to continue taking a DOAC for at least the next six months.

mekane | @mekane | Sep 25 11:02am

In reply to @gloaming "The EP community seems to be settled on there being an elevated risk of thromboembolic stroke..." + (show)

@gloaming thanks,good to know.

mwmc777 | @mwmc777 | Sep 25 2:39pm

In reply to @gloaming "The EP community seems to be settled on there being an elevated risk of thromboembolic stroke..." + (show)

@gloaming I actually had a stroke on Jan 2, 2024, 48 days after an ablation. Have always felt the 2 were related. I was on Eliquis already and Drs were perplexed that I had a stroke while on Eliquis. TEE was done and small hole made by catheter making small hole from 1 side of heart to other during Ablation that had not closed could have caused a blood clot from some where pass thru opening and go to brain causing stroke. Was told the hole, a Secundum, usually takes several weeks to close! Much discussion afterwards to have the Watchman implant, but I was on the fence about another implant (I already have a Pacemaker), so myself and EP Cardiologist decided to wait. Has been over year and half and no other stroke, but several AFIB episodes and cardioversions since, so AFIB not well controlled! Lots of changes in meds and Sotalol 120mg is presently working for almost 2 months!

mwmc777 | @mwmc777 | Sep 25 2:41pm

In reply to @gloaming "The EP community seems to be settled on there being an elevated risk of thromboembolic stroke..." + (show)

@gloaming what is DOAC from your recent post? Thanks!

mimio | @mimio | Sep 25 7:29pm

It is the REACT-AF Trial. Go to the website https://reactaf.com to determine if there is a medical center close to you participating in the study. Your doctor has to give the approval, and I had to go to the facility a couple times to get setup.

gloaming | @gloaming | Sep 26 2:08am

In reply to @mwmc777 "@gloaming what is DOAC from your recent post? Thanks!" + (show)

@mwmc777 "direct-acting oral anti-coagulant' These are not aspirin or warfarin, but the novel kind like apixaban and rivaroxaban.

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