Ectopic Atrial Rhythm Vs. Atrial Fibrillation on Your Watch ECG

Ectopic Atrial Rhythm Afib ECG
Qaly Heart
Qaly is built by Stanford engineers and cardiologists, including Dr. Marco Perez, a Stanford Associate Professor of Medicine, Stanford Cardiac Electrophysiologist, and Co-PI of the Apple Heart Study.

Key Takeaways

Got other questions on Ectopic Atrial Rhythm or Afib? See the Qaly guides on Ectopic Atrial Rhythm and Afib:

Introduction

Advancements in technology have brought medical grade information to our wrists in the form of ECG-enabled watches. Understanding your watch's ECG readings can provide invaluable insights into your heart health. Today, we're exploring two common rhythms detected by these devices: Ectopic Atrial Rhythm and Atrial Fibrillation. Our goal is to shed light on what these rhythms mean, how they present on an ECG, and their potential health implications. Let’s dive in.

What’s Ectopic Atrial Rhythm?

Ectopic Atrial Rhythm (EAR) is an abnormal heart rhythm where the electrical impulse begins from a site other than the sinus node within the atria. 

Ectopic Atrial Rhythm read on an Apple Watch ECG through the Qaly app. This heart hero is based in Spain 🇪🇸
Ectopic Atrial Rhythm read on an Apple Watch ECG through the Qaly app. This heart hero is based in Spain 🇪🇸

On an ECG, EAR may appear similar to a sinus rhythm, but the key difference lies in the P wave, which may be shaped differently, occur at an abnormal rate, or be positioned unusually compared to the QRS complex. Here’s more on what ectopic atrial rhythm looks like on your watch ECG.

Ectopic Atrial Rhythm read on a Kardia ECG through the Qaly app.
Ectopic Atrial Rhythm read on a Kardia ECG through the Qaly app.

What’s Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as afib, is a form of irregular heart rhythm, often characterized by a rapid, irregular beating of the atria.

Afib read on a Fitbit ECG through the Qaly app.
Afib read on a Fitbit ECG through the Qaly app.


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On an ECG, atrial fibrillation is represented by a lack of distinct P waves and an irregularly irregular RR interval. Here’s more on what Afib looks like on your watch ECG.

Afib read on a Fitbit ECG through the Qaly app.
Afib read on a Fitbit ECG through the Qaly app.

What’s the Difference Between EAR and Afib?

When comparing EAR and Afib, the significant difference lies in the rhythm's origin and the resulting ECG presentation. EAR originates from an ectopic focus in the atria outside the sinus node, while Afib is caused by multiple erratic impulses firing within the atria.

On an ECG, EAR presents with abnormal P waves, while Afib displays a chaotic baseline with no discernible P waves. The QRS complexes in both rhythms are usually regular in shape, but the occurrence interval is irregular in Afib, unlike EAR, which maintains a regular rhythm.

While EAR can cause symptoms like palpitations or shortness of breath, it is generally less severe than Afib. Afib is linked to serious complications like stroke or heart failure and requires medical attention.

Remember, understanding these differences is crucial as it can influence management strategies and potential health outcomes. But, while your ECG watch can help detect irregular rhythms like EAR and Afib, it doesn't replace a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare provider. Should you detect any irregular rhythms on your watch ECG, it's recommended to seek medical consultation for further investigation. Stay informed, stay proactive, and stay heart healthy!

Still Not Sure if It’s Ectopic Atrial Rhythm or Atrial Fibrillation on Your ECG?

Differentiating between Afib vs EAR on your ECG can be tricky. If you’re still looking for help interpreting your ECG further, check out the Qaly app on App Store or Play Store. On Qaly, human experts will interpret your ECGs within minutes, day or night. Try out the Qaly app today!

Wondering if it's Ectopic Atrial Rhythm or Afib? On the Qaly app, human experts will interpret your ECGs for Ectopic Atrial Rhythm and Afib within minutes. Get started today.

Try free, cancel any time
Download Qaly
App Store - Download Qaly | ECG Reader
Download Qaly
Google Play - Download Qaly | ECG Reader
Download Qaly
Start today, cancel any time
QALY app - ecg reviews, ecg reader, ecg interpretations, review your ecg

Get unlimited ECG reviews today, cancel anytime -->

Get unlimited ECG reviews today, cancel anytime -->

Wondering if it's Ectopic Atrial Rhythm or Afib? On the Qaly app, human experts will interpret your ECGs for Ectopic Atrial Rhythm and Afib within minutes. Get started today.

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