Any ECG/heart/cardio experts?

[heartbeat123]

NC for this as don't want it linked to my other posts.

Just to start my thread by saying I am currently having some heart investigations at the hospital so I am being seen properly.

However I have an Apple Watch (series 8) that takes ECGs, and I wondered if anybody on here knows whether the beat at 6 seconds is normal?

For context, a family member recently died young from sudden, unexplained death, so I am worried about genetic heart conditions.

TIA

Sorry just realised you can't see the seconds on here. The middle beat that looks different from the others.

Having lived with my hubby who has cardiac issues its all about context. He has some ecgs that say he's having a heart attack when he clearly isn't. You need to speak to your GP/consultant. Put your iwatch away and wait for the results as otherwise you will literally worry yourself to death. Just because your watch can do these readings doesn't mean you should be looking at them. I know its a worrying time but you need to take things as they come.

I would just make a GP appointment to ease your mind. I've had lots of ecgs as I had heart failure many years ago and you can always get blips, I would take comfort that its just one abnormal and that they aren't all abnormal, which would be more concerning.
I still get ectopic beats and other weird feelings but have be assured its normal.

It could be software error etc, but as you have a family member die recently, definitely get checked out. (Though I wouldn't worry too much, unless it's a sibling for example)

It's not normal, but that is because it is an artefact. Ie there is some loss of contact or the watch is loose on your wrist.

You are in normal sinus rhythm.

Oh I was a clinical physiologist, specialising in cardiology.

That doesn't look like artefact. Maybe a right bundle branch block? But you need a 12 lead.

A bundle branch block doesn't show up for one beat and then disappear. It can appear on exercise but again not as a single beat.

Also this is a rhythm strip, you need a 12 lead to say that.

Also the qRS complex is narrow, the defining thing about a BBB is that the qRS is wide and this means the T wave is later.

If you copy the preceding complex and superimpose it on the artefact the width is identical.

hehe - I think Sashh knows what they're talking about!

I am but a humble staff nurse, and it looks like sinus rhythm to me. I don't think you can say anything 'significant' is happening - with just one beat.

Sometimes artifact can even look like ventricular fibrillation, and make people panic.

Are you feeling okay OP? As others have said, maybe don't look at the apple watch until you've seen the doctor and been reassured.

I’d agree that’s artefact and not of significance.

I hope your medical investigations turn out ok

Thank you @MrsDoyle351

Do you shout at the TV screen when anyone 'flatlines' too. "That's not asystole, that's the leads not being connected".

And don't get me started on laryngoscopes in the right hand.

I agree with @sashh about it most likely being artefact. And also about shouting at inaccuracies medical shows. “He’s flatlining, let’s shock him!” said no doctor ever. 🙄

Did you recently have covid? Quite a big % (up to 5) are having heart issues after according to my cardiologist.

Including me.

It's normal to have occasional ectopic beats. Many of us have irregular heartbeats without it being a problem.
If you're having any other symptoms like tiredness on slight exercise, chest pain or breathlessness, you should see your GP. Don't get worried by gadgets.

I’m no expert, but I have AF and no way would would I wear such a device. It would be a constant worry. You’re getting good advice on here.

I'm not medically trained but have some personal experience. I do see something in there that hints at a specific diagnosis but, if it hasn't been caught yet, it's unlikely it would be an issue for you in your life, so no need to stress. I suggest getting a formal ECG done as anything will be seen in that.

Since you're already having formal medication investigations no doubt you have already had an ECG. If what I am noticing hasn't been found, then no doubt it doesn't apply to you. Please ignore me.

Thank you everyone.

The family member who died is my sibling, in their 30s.

I am currently wearing a 7 day ECG heart monitor and so was wearing it at the time of the Apple Watch ECG picture. I am wearing it until Friday. I also had a heart scan last week. Once the ECG is complete I will have a consultation on the results from that and the scan.

Do you think that with a 7 day heart monitor and scan, it would pick up any genetic heart problems?

I sometimes get sharp heart pain and dizziness but not very often.

Any problems with the mechanical/structural function of your heart (eg dilated cardiomyopathy) will be picked up by the cardiac echo you just had.

Any problems with the electrical pathway (arrhythmias) will be picked up by the cardiac monitor you are currently wearing.

Any problems with ischaemia - blockages in the coronary arteries feeding the heart muscle are picked up via 12 lead ecg, chest pain, angiogram, cardiac MRI.

So it depends what it is that caused sudden death in your relative. Was it structural or electrical? Or a bit of both, they are often related.

In all honesty if I were you I'd discard the Apple Watch and wait for your cardiology consultation with test results available. That beat looks like artifact. You can't tell anything really from one beat! It's just increasing your anxiety.

And yes I do shout at the TV screen flatline/shocking everyone nonsense!

Imagine your cardiovascular system is a central heating system.

The boiler is your heart.

An ECG shows the electrical activity of the heart and a normal ECG is a snap shot from different angles. Taking a recording over a longer time allows the physiologist to see what is happening over a few days, this is why it is important to fill out the diary you will have been given.

So things like the rhythm the heart rate, any ectopics can be seen.

You can also infer something about the structures eg if a heart chamber is enlarged.

You can also see ischemic changes, usually on exercise. This is when your coronary arteries are narrowed, so the blood supply to the heart is reduced.

A 'scan' could be an MRI or an echo - echo is ultrasound, both of these show the structure of the heart.

Will it pick up genetic problems? Probably not. But it will show the structure of your heart and the electrical system.

Sorry I missed the bit about your sibling.

They are probably thinking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. That's what causes footballers to just keel over in the middle of the game.

Even if that is what happened with your sibling it doesn't mean you have it.

It's artefact. It doesn't 'hint at a specific diagnosis', doesn't show RBBB and isn't an ectopic beat as PPs have all suggested. The proper investigations you're having will be very much more useful.

hi you seem to know quite a bit i'd like to ask your advice if ok? every day or every other day i get left side pulsating mild chest pain(ache or a squeezing motion that radiates to my upper back and left arm i have had this issue for 9 weeks now
the pain last for minutes sometimes 20 mins on a couple of acasions lasted 4/5 hours
the only tests i have had done over the 9 weeks is 3 troponin blood tests around 8 ecgs all being normal i'm quite scared of how the invasive angiogram is with its risks but i am worrried i may have heart blockages as i smoked for a very long time i'm now 31 the pain does not come on with exercise i do exercise running ect and i don't feel unnormal the pain comes anytime mostly when relaxed i don't have any family heart issues and i am not overweight and i do have quite a healthy diet would you have any advice on what to do next thanks