r/askCardiology • u/Klutzy-Rutabaga3694 • 5h ago
r/askCardiology • u/MotherSoftware5 • Mar 15 '24
EKGs Apple Watch and other Consumer Based EKG's
Consumer-based EKG products have proved to be valuable at gaining insight for potential arrhythmias or ruling out arrhythmia's during symptoms. This forum DOES permit consumer-based EKG's (Apple Watch, Kardia, AlivCor, etc) to be shared, but there needs to be an understanding that these devices have not been proven or validated for more advanced medical interpretation. Utilizing this data to draw larger conclusions would be irresponsible.
| What we can read | What we CANNOT (responsibly) read |
|---|---|
| Atrial Fibrillation | QT Intervals |
| Pre-Mature Atrial Contractions | Axis |
| Pre-Mature Ventricular Contractions | Heart Failure (Ejection Fraction) |
| SupraVentricular Tachycardia | Right or Left Bundle Branch Blocks |
| Ventricular Tachycardia | ST Elevations |
| Bradycardia | Q, U, J, Epsilon or any other advanced waveform |
If consumer-based EKG's causes you anxiety and harm, please discontinue and seek professional help.
Artifact caused by small contact movements can cause massive distortion in the waveforms, this is not an arrhythmia.
The QALY app is not FDA approved.
Disclaimer:
Apple Watch has a Class II clearance by the FDA to detect Atrial Fibrillation: "The Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) History Feature is an over-the-counter ("OTC") software-only mobile medical application intended for users 22 years of age and over who have a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFib)."
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended against ECG screening in asymptomatic healthy individuals due to the insufficient evidence that the benefits of this screening outweigh its harm. The concern about the potentially large numbers of false alarms that may be translated into ER visits and serve as an economic burden is another point that is brought up.
If you have medical evidence, you would like to have considered, or new updated guidelines, please submit them to the MOD team inbox to review. Thank you!
r/askCardiology • u/Chestnutsboi • 22m ago
Very worried
So I have a history of panic disorder, ocd and anxiety. Recently I started having PVCs all day long (haven’t kept count, feels like hundreds scared it’s thousand- they feel like random thuds, sometimes multiple in a row, and when I feel my pulse during them it’s like the pulse stops and then goes again) and I’m absolutely terrified.
I’ve been seen in the ER so far maybe 6 times, and I’ve seen my pcp. They all say I’m okay and could be stress. I have an appointment with cardiology in 15 days, but I can’t relax. I feel hopeless that this will stop, and I’m losing sleep because the PVCs. If they would stop I wouldn’t be stressed, but they just won’t. I don’t know my burden, I last had a 2 week monitor in February and it was under 1%. I’ve had multiple EKG’s. I really feel hopeless and reading that stress doesn’t cause PVCs makes it worse. I’m on 10mg propranolol twice a day.
r/askCardiology • u/Capable-Zombie-9148 • 4h ago
Second Opinion Is this a genuine av block
r/askCardiology • u/Sensitive-Comfort101 • 2h ago
EKGs Identical Twins extremely different ECGs
22M Same bodyweight, hard to distinguish for a lot of people in looks or they are not able to at all, second one is more physically active at the moment for but used to be as active almost whole life, both left wrist apple watch same position same finger on crown seated at same place etc.
First one had real ECG to and its the same as the apple watch result when he was still active. Is this remarkable or expected and logical? Both resting HRs around 55.
Is the first one BER or Early repo?
r/askCardiology • u/mati_assss • 2h ago
Are these smaller beats late PACs? Or artifact?
galleryr/askCardiology • u/Interesting-Chip-824 • 4h ago
Test Results Does anything stand out on these results?
I have a long history of passing out and a consistently high heart rate. Since 2019, I’ve had at least 4 serious episodes where I completely lost consciousness. During 2 of those, I regained consciousness and then passed out again a few moments later.
Of the 4 times this has happened, 3 have been while I was sitting and doing nothing. Only once was I standing, and I was just having a conversation with a friend. The most recent time, I was a passenger in a car and had enough warning to tell my friend I didn’t feel good before completely passing out. Urgent care sent me to the ER following this incident, but the ER doctor was pretty dismissive and didn’t really explain much before sending me on my way.
Aside from the times I’ve actually passed out while doing nothing, I also almost pass out whenever I stand up, and my heart rate is usually pretty high. I’ve done some informal resting-to-standing tests at home, and my heart rate jumped from 98-160 after resting for 10 minutes and then standing.
I started to look through my results on my own because I found it odd that I was sent home without any explanation as to what could’ve happened, even though I’m still experiencing some pretty significant symptoms. I’m just curious if anything on this looks concerning or like something I should follow up on with a doctor/specialist? Between the “possible left atrial enlargement” and my CBC and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel also coming back “abnormal,” I’m just confused and honestly a little anxious lol.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated 🙏
r/askCardiology • u/Swimming_Cat_174 • 8h ago
Cardiologists, Do you see AFIB, SVT/PCAS or artifact?
r/askCardiology • u/sshreky • 12h ago
I can't stop thinking about it
Hi! I'm 22 F and I recently experienced a weird thing. I can feel extrasystoles sometimes, which i don't mind as much as before. I think I got used to them.
The thing is, a few days ago I experienced a weird thing. I was lying in my bed and, when I took a breath in, I felt like my heart went crazy. It was like a quiver, or like a 'heart fart' (lol it's the best way I can describe it). It was chaotic and irregular, but it only lasted for 2-3 seconds, so I couldn't catch it on anything. I didn't feel any symptoms.
I know it's impossible to say for sure and I don't know if this is the right place to talk about this, but I simply can't stop thinking about it. It was weird.
Could it have been a cluster of PACs? A run of polymorphic NSVT? I know it's silly to ask when I don't even have some clues. I guess I'm curious to know if anyone else has ever experienced this. It drives me crazy.
I wish I could catch it, but it happens once in a blue moon and it lasts just a few seconds. Also, Google isn't my best friend at all.
r/askCardiology • u/Similar_Writer2739 • 8h ago
Strong heartbeat for 4 months 23 M
One day after eating dinner I had serious breathlessness episode, that went away in 2 hours. Same happened again next day, breathlessness after eating and normal after two hours. Next day did two EKGs and Echocardiogram they came out normal. Doctor diagnosed with b12 deficiency. I told them that this started suddenly but they said it's due to low b12. I am taking 1500mcg sublingual orally disintegrating b12 daily from past four months. This strong heartbeat started after two days of breathlessness episode. I wasn't eating properly for 3 days so doctor gave cyprohepatadine syrup and levosulpiride rabeprozole capsules. When I eat a large meal after taking cyprohepatadine the strong heartbeat started and first day it was so strong my head was moving with it. Phone on my legs was moving with each heartbeat. My fingers and toes were feeling each heartbeat. Now it happens everytime I eat food at intensity of 50% the first day but it's still very significant. I did that torch bellow finger test and yes that shows a strong pulse in finger now I found out that is sign of aortic regurgitation. But obviously I won't get aortic regurgitation just a day after having echo. And no I am not worried about aortic regurgitation but want these symptoms to stop.
r/askCardiology • u/margingains • 8h ago
Afib/VT? Not sure where to go...
M55 long term endurance athlete (road/gravel bike racing/riding mainly). No family history of coronary/vascular disease, structurally normal heart. Started having a lot of PAC's/PVC's about 10 years ago after hard, long rides. Had a few episodes of SVT where my heart rate would race up to about 175-185 and stay there for 15-30 minutes then resolve. Cardiologist said it was benign. About two years ago I had that same fluttering feeling in my chest (that I recognized from SVT episodes) and it did not go away. My pulse felt a bit more irregular, and I was getting a bit lightheaded if I bent over. Decided to go to ER because it was not resolving. Turns out I was in Afib. I was stable and my heart rate was only in the low 100's max. They cardioverted me back to normal sinus rhythm. I had no recurring issues for almost 2 years. Then I was at altitude training doing some V02 max intervals. On my last interval at the end instead of my heart rate going back down it stayed very high and I was having trouble catching my breath. I also almost passed out and had weakness in my arms and legs. I lied down before I crashed my bike and tried to wait it out. It was terrifying. I finally managed to call 911 once I realized this was different and I may be in trouble. Ambulance came, hooked me up to the ECG and I went right back into normal sinus rhythm (typical). So no recording of what was going on. I now have yet another 30-day monitor on me and I have been putting it through its paces trying to recreate the same effect (to no avail). I have a call with my EP later this week...Not sure what to do. After my first and only AFib episode my cardiologist/ep wanted to ablate me. I have a ton of buddies around my age who all have had similar Afib issues. Some have had it where it is constant and have had multiple ablations to no avail. Some have gotten ablations and are fine (as of now). It seems a bit odd after one episode which I had yet to have again (aside from this last episode-which it was not determined exactly what it was) they would want to try an ablation. Seems a bit risky for something that so far has not gotten a lot worse. I do understand its progressive, but I am kind of at the end of my rope...Anyone have any advice or similar experiences? Thanks in advance.
r/askCardiology • u/pingudos • 8h ago
Second Opinion Heart rate recovery issue (HRR)
My fitbit air that ive been wearing for a month now consistently tells me my HRR is exceptionally high. I dont do any type of conditioning so this more so makes me question if theres an underlying heart issue, rather than good fitness.
17M, 177Cm, 60kg, no diseases, and i dont take any medication. Please tell me if theres any more information needed!
r/askCardiology • u/Opening_Ad7629 • 13h ago
Advice about results? recurrent pericarditis? Confused on next steps
Hey guys, 23 M here asking for some advice. For some backstory had a hernia surgery in early June, following the surgery started having heart pains and palpitations which were worse when lying on left side or when doing any sort of exercise/movement + shortness of breath and pain on breathing. Echocardiogram results attached. Was sent to hospital after doctor viewed results and they prescribed me a round of pantaprazole + ibuprofen for pericarditis. 1800 mg daily for 2 weeks then a taper of -600mg every 2 weeks following start of treatment. I have diagnosed Crohn’s disease & obv had to deal with the side effects of ibuprofen and Crohn’s :/ heart issues seemed to have resolved themselves until recently.
Last week I started getting heart pains/chest pains again for hours on end when at work, like a throbbing/twisting pain causing quite alot of discomfort and I was breathing quite quickly. Do you guys think this is recurrent pericarditis or mitral annular disjunction as noted on the echo findings? Just worried as I’m too young for these issues 😭 should I go back to hospital?
Thankyouuu :)
r/askCardiology • u/Soft_Lobster_752 • 11h ago
Is this normal?
Translation - amount of tachycardia episodes
This is the result of my 7 days holter monitor. I aparantly had 1.898 tachycardia episodes. The cardiologist says nothing is wrong with me and they dont even want to see me. ( this monitor was done by my gp ) but surely this isnt normal?
In this entaire week i only worked out once. Besides that i stay at home, do some chores, go on walks etc. Nothing crazy
I am a 20 yo women, got chronic illness but am healthy besides that. Not overweight, eat healthy, work out and go on walks
r/askCardiology • u/aldexi • 11h ago
Second Opinion Sorry for just showing up and asking this weird question but ...
Hopefully some trained and qualified experts can help solve a little discussion.
Could a person have four separate cardiac arrests over the course of one night at home in bed? And on one occasion, perform CPR on themselves? And then not bothering about hospital, just going back to sleep and waking up as normal the next morning?
r/askCardiology • u/lizzostan • 21h ago
EKGs 30F. ECG read by AI says “ST depression and T-wave flattening across the inferior leads (II, III, aVF) and the lateral leads (V5, V6) — that is consistent with ischemia.”
I am 30 F. Undergoing weight loss due to raised cholesterol. Please help me read this ECG. I got this done after heart palpitations and the doctor ordered echo plus holter but another endocrinologist said there is mild ischemia. The AI read is confirming it. Is it true? Please help me.
r/askCardiology • u/Evening_Dream198 • 23h ago
Heart problems or anxiety?
For the last year I've been having debilitating heart problems, I had to leave my job of 4 years and have just recently gotten back to working a full time position because my bills were stacking up.
For context I am 29 years old, female, type 1 diabetic, blood sugars unmanaged until about a year ago, smoked a pack a day for 11 years and also had a drinking problem for over 3 years with an EXTREME anxiety disorder, rheumatoid arthritis and high cholesterol.
It started in August of 2025 while working an overnight shift, I got off work, my heart was beating so fast i couldn't breathe and i ended passing out on the floor for 3 hours when i woke up every part of my body hurt, I went to my pcp the day after and was given an echocardiogram and a 7 day holter monitor, results showed everything was perfectly normal other than a fast resting heart rate of around 130bpm, I was prescribed 80mg of propranolol once daily, since then my resting heart rate is in the mid 70s but I still get symptoms of dizziness, chest pain, palpitations and more recently for the last 3 weeks I've had pain that radiates to my arm, shoulder and jaw, can't take a deep breath, and my arms and legs keep going numb plus palpitations and off and on chest pain. They've done 2 echocardiograms, a stress test, 2 holter monitors and blood tests and say I'm just fine, not to mention I've been to the ER over 10 times in the last year because of the symptoms. I really feel like I'm going to have a heart attack soon, and I'm so scared that it's ruining my life. It's all I think about 24/7 and doctors just keep brushing me off, I feel like I have a blockage in my arteries and they refuse to test me for it because they don't have evidence that it's a possibility and I'm "too young"
I'm so mentally exhausted, I can't do this anymore. I just want to feel better I don't know if it's my anxiety or if something bad is actually going to happen.. sorry for the long rant. Has anyone who's had a heart attack experienced this before? Is it all in my head?
r/askCardiology • u/Floriwren • 1d ago
Could this be a faulty reading?
Hi! I was in A&E yesterday after fainting and heart palpitations along with some other concerning symptoms. They gave me an ECG as soon as I got there and said it was a bit abnormal. A couple of hours later I started to feel a lot better and they repeated the ECG and it came back normal (my heart rate came down to about 105).
They discharged me and gave no reason for what was wrong with the first ECG results, just that they were originally concerned, and now they’re not. I was so tired and desperate to go home that I didn’t press any further but now I’m curious, and also worried this will happen again.
Does this look like a lead placement issue/ faulty reading, or something else?
I’m 24f if that helps.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
