If you have AFIB, consider the following

[charltonjohn50]

I have been a fitbit user for over 2 years . I am a very active 66 year old man who goes to the gym everyday . Before I had a fitbit I would check on my health through a BP monitor and at the gym on top of any tests done by my GP or health advisor. I always had a low resting heart rate between 45 and 50 and good BP 125 over 70. Once I had my fitbit I thought I could rely on it and lost count of the people I have recommended it to. About 3 months ago I started to feel more tired working out but as I do a lot of long haul travel I would check my HR on fit bit and put it down to jet lag etc . Even when the equipment at the gym was telling me my HR was 160 as my fitbit HR was showing 120 I preferred to believe it. To cut a long story short I was admitted to hospital because my heart rate was 150 and was diagnosed as having AFIB. At the time the hospital were panicking that someone had a resting heart rate of 150 my good old fit bit was telling me 65 ....a little bit high for me but ok. I got a friend to wear my fit bit to check it was not faulty and it had the same reading as their own fitbit they were wearing. The consultant said that fitbit and other devices cannot pick up the variations when the heart is jumping around in AFIB so having read so many conflicting reports on this it is very scary because I can prove it is useless. Last week I purchased a chest monitor which almost mirrored the readings of the gym equipment and to my phone but the readings on the fitbit are always totally different. over a 4 day comparison resting the fitbit is reading between 15 to 20 beats lower than the chest monitor and when exercising reading 40-50 beats lower!!

For this reason I certainly now know it cannot be used if a person has AFIB and think that Fitbit need to come up with something better and some words of warning too. AFIB is a very annoying condition to arrive on someone who is a dedicated gym goer and mine has not been resolved as yet . After one cardioversion I am still on meds which themselves affect how good exercise makes you feel. My concern is that my problem could have been detected maybe 3 or 6 months ago before it got too bad and therefore noticeable. I believed unwisely the fitbit data was correct which continued showing how healthy my heart was even when I was in re suss at the hospital

Moderator edit: format/subject clarity

[Feanor]

I totally agree.

It would be much more useful if they would be clearer and say "Will not recognise increased heart rate resulting from conditions such as atrial fibrillation". It would avoid potentially dangerous confusion by customers who aren't wanting it to diagnose medical problems but just wanted it to accurately read their heart beat.

I can definitely recommend the Kardia though. It's a brilliant piece of kit.

[Colinm39]

@JoeDavisI submitted a Kardia result to their specialists via the App.. I have a low resting pulse and my  RHR ranges between 52 and 58, Cardio score is 42-46 and and my SpO2 ranges between 96-98.  Pulse gets down to 44 while asleep.

I purchased these devices because I was tired of Fitbit delaying their options., this included the  Pulse Oximeter and and HRV device.

I have been cleared by my Cardiologist and at my age, 79, it's always a boost knowing your genes are keeping you in positive territory.

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@JoeDavis wrote:

I own a Kardia device , bought on the advice of my cardiologist.

Thank you, it works well

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[NursePDR]

Not to detract from Fitbit, but there is another option called Kardia. I have used it for several years and it records your 30 EKG, tells you if it’s possible A-fib and you can have the strip read by a cardio tech or cardiologist for a nominal fee. You can also upload it and send it to your provider. I used my flex spending account to pay for it.  Hope this is helpful. 

[JoeDavis]

Thank you, I own a Kardia and think it is a wonderful device.

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[Colinm39]

I find it reassuring especially because I'm the reverse.. Suspected Bradycardia, which was cleared by my specialists..   The other night my HR got down to 38-40bpm.. I don't get the symptoms of Bradycardia, dizziness etc..

The only way I can accurately check the HR is to use the Workout option on the Fitbit Ionic which gives me on average 26 pulses/minute, otherwise you only get 6 pulses/minute.

I then use the following 3rd party link (free) which allows you to download the Intraday data at 1 second intervals or thereabouts and you can chose the time range and it shows in seconds as well.

https://iccir919.github.io/pulseWatch/public/index.html

I had a hip replacement over 3 years ago, no cartilage, and I warned the nurses of my low HR.. That message didn't get passed on, and in the middle of the first recovery day the bells went off...

I'm thankful we have these tools, my GP finds it puts pressure on him because many of his patients now have access to our "Tools", but in the end it helps him...

[Bodybuilder1]

I agree with this statement about the watch is not an accurate medical device.for measuring pulse readings with a medical problem. I have Atrial Fibrillation and I am a bodybuilder in competition at 76 years old . I just completed the worlds NATURAL body building competition, winning a medal , however, if your heart is in any kind of arithmiia the watch or most devices cannot pick up the problem. Even my blood pressure machine and at the one at the  doctors offince had a hard time to give me an accurate reading . The monitors at the hospital are incredible y accurate. Check your pulse by hand , is the best way to do it . Enjoy the watch , and use it only as a guide . 

[JoeDavis]

I have purchased a Kardia device which gives a partial EKG and will
detect AFIB when I feel that I might be getting it.

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[Bodybuilder1]

I purchased a Kardia mobile and still cannot get an accurate reading in or out of AF . 

I have contacted company many times , they are very good in suggesting things to try to fix the problem. It still is not working . I have very dry skin on my hands , they suggested using hand cream or filing my skin gently before use, it worked once. I now will change the battery and see . They will refund me , hopefully, if it will not work for me . I’m not knocking this device or the company, my heart doctor and friend have one and they are very satisfied. I still say check your own pulse by using your hand on any pressure pulse points. If you have silent AF , which a friend of mine has , its a must to check it once or twice or even more a day . These devices are not like sophisticated instruments in the hospital, so don’t put  the risk of getting a stroke in these devices . Learn and listen to your body .look after yourself as no one else will .

[ILOVEFIT]

Fitbit uses optical heart rate monitoring, or photoplethysmography. Unlike an ECG (electrocardiogram) that reads electrical activity, an optical heart rate monitor detects the pulse by shining a light through the skin to see blood flow.

[JoeDavis]

I had thought that heart rate was measured by green LEDs since green is an antagonist to red thereby being able to indicate when a spike in blood flow in the wrist occurs by the intensity of the reflection ,

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not by microwaves

[J-flex]

Oh my.  Sorry to disappoint there is no microwave on my wrist.

[JoeDavis]

Too bad, it would have been a great way to warm your hands on a cold day

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[ILOVEFIT]

Fitbit uses optical heart rate monitoring, or photoplethysmography. Unlike an ECG (electrocardiogram) that reads electrical activity, an optical heart rate monitor detects the pulse by shining a light through the skin to see blood flow.

[SunsetRunner]

@ILOVEFIT it's utter nonsense. It is just a green light that is supposed to penetrate skin and reflect back to the sensor. It is no different from what pulseoxymeters use or apps for your phone that measure your HR asking you to put a finger on the camera ( and in the same time turn on flash light ). The microwaves are not visible to people. Same as infrared or ultraviolet. I don't even know why I explain obvious but if you see the light it cannot be microwave. Pity though, I could keep my coffee hot 😄

[russsss]

@J-flex  totally agree there is no miccrowave on my wrist either ... however i have found that the wrist, elbow, ankle issues have disappeared along with a minor chest cold and a decrease in global climate change by removing the toaster oven from my wrist 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Tip123]

I thank you for your post. I had missed fitbits “warning” that the HR monitor doesn’t work acurately if you have afib. 

[Tip123]

Just read theses posts today, what a shame this person needed to leave the forum. Dare I mention Apple Watch 4 claims to monitor afib.

[WavyDavey]

I would enjoy a smart watch that was based on microwaves. Would be awesome for making snacks after an intense workout.

[rnmoses]

A patient of mine reported to me after wearing a fitbit for several months he developed afib. Discontinued several meds trying to determine cause, only after removing fitbit did issue resolve. Started up on meds no problems. Will not wear a fit bit anymore. He is 74 years old. I wear mine 24/7 no problems , but rethinking the habit.

[rnmoses]

The issue is not one of accuracy, but of radiation. I've also noticed that my wrist tracker gives a higher rate count than pulling it up on the app when checking cardiovascular zone. A true caveat emptor.