Sinus Tachycardia Vs. Atrial Fibrillation on Your Watch ECG

‍Got other questions on Sinus Tachycardia or Afib? See the Qaly guides on Sinus Tachycardia and Afib:

• What Sinus Tachycardia Looks Like on Your ECG
• What Afib Looks Like on Your ECG
• ‍How to Read an ECG: Stanford Cardiologist Explains
• ‍The Ultimate Cardiologist's Guide to the Smartwatch ECG

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Introduction

Today, the power of health sensors is literally at our fingertips — or rather, on our wrists. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) from smartwatches offer critical insights into our heart health. This article explores two important rhythms: sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation (Afib). Deciphering tachycardia vs Afib can be a key part of understanding our cardiovascular well-being. Let’s dive in.

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What’s Sinus Tachycardia?

Sinus tachycardia is a condition where the heart beats faster than normal, at more than 100 beats per minute in adults. It’s often a normal response to stress, fever, dehydration, or strenuous physical activity.

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On an ECG, sinus tachycardia is marked by a regular rhythm with a rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, where every QRS complex is preceded by a normal P wave. Here’s more on what sinus tachycardia looks like on your watch ECG.

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What’s Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)?

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

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What’s the Difference Between Sinus Tachycardia and Afib?

The comparison of Afib vs Sinus Tachycardia primarily revolves around their rhythm regularity and the nature of their onset. While sinus tachycardia is typically regular and often a response to external factors, Afib is irregular and may occur unpredictably, often due to structural or electrical issues within the heart.

In terms of health impact, while sinus tachycardia is usually not a cause for concern and resolves when the triggering factor is addressed, Afib can lead to complications like stroke or heart failure if left untreated. Thus, distinguishing between these rhythms — AFib vs Tachycardia — is crucial in managing heart health.

While smartwatches provide valuable information, remember they're not replacements for medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional about any heart rhythm abnormalities you notice. Stay tuned to your heart and stay heart healthy!

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Still Not Sure if It’s Sinus Tachycardia or Afib on Your ECG?

Differentiating between sinus tachycardia vs Afib on your ECG can be tricky. If you’re still looking for help interpreting your ECG, 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!