I’m curious about the aFib app. Is it worth it to use?

Yes, it is worth it. Last year, when I was 48, I permitted my watch to scan for aFib. It was detected, instantly, and then it prompted me to report what it said to my physician. My physician denied that my Apple Watch could detect aFib, but she ordered an electrocardiogram to run her own test. It was confirmed. Also, keep in mind, the aFib feature scans periodically. Someone's heart with aFib isn't necessarily aFibbing all of the time, and your watch might not see it initially, so let it scan periodically over the course of a month to make your own assessment.

FlexSF wrote:

Yes, it is worth it. Last year, when I was 48, I permitted my watch to scan for aFib. It was detected, instantly, and then it prompted me to report what it said to my physician. My physician denied that my Apple Watch could detect aFib, but she ordered an electrocardiogram to run her own test. It was confirmed. Also, keep in mind, the aFib feature scans periodically. Someone's heart with aFib isn't necessarily aFibbing all of the time, and your watch might not see it initially, so let it scan periodically over the course of a month to make your own assessment.

Wow! Quite a story. I hope you're doing well.

Add another resounding YES to your question! I'd noticed some unusual heartbeats - erratic and seen my pulse go up on my Fitbit from a normal resting pulse of 60 to watch it climb to 100 just while watching a movie. That's just one example. At the urging of a friend who has an Apple Watch and who does have Afib - and whose doctor is all in favor of the Apple Watch - I bought one in October.

After finding a very long history of arrythmia events during seveal hours the other early morning, I mentioned it to my doctor via MyChart and within 10 mins got a call from a nurse at Duke Medical Center telling me I had to go to the local ER when it was happening no matter what time of day or night. It happend again - and my watch told me - I went and was diagnosed with Afib RVR.

The watch however is not always scanning - I guess I've been "lucky" that it has caught it a number of times.

I am still not sure about switching off the arrythmia alerts vs history. I wish we could have both options at the same time. Maybe we shall someday, if everyone writes to Apple.

Buy one and wear it - all the time, except when you have to charge it!

Its not an App. Its a feature of the Apple Watch,

1. Its free if you already have an Apple Watch that supports it.
2. If your doctor has diagnosed you it may be useful for you. Consult your physician.

If the above is true, then there's no real loss or disadvantage to using it.

It would be best to ask your cardiologist. Some (including mine) consider it a good tool but others do not since the ECG will never detect a heart attack. I guess the value will depend on what you and your doctor want to tract.