Sinus Tachycardia Vs. Ventricular Tachycardia (Sustained) on Your Watch ECG

Sinus Tachycardia Vtach 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 Sinus Tachycardia or Vtach? See the Qaly guides on Sinus Tachycardia and Vtach:

Introduction

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are remarkable tools that let us visualize and understand the electrical activity of the heart. With the advent of the ECG on our smartwatches, we now have a convenient way to keep an eye on our heart rhythms. In this guide, we’ll compare two such rhythms: sinus tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia. Let’s dive in.

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.

Sinus Tachycardia read on an Apple Watch ECG through the Qaly app.
Sinus Tachycardia read on an Apple Watch ECG through the Qaly app.

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.

Sinus Tachycardia read on a Kardia ECG through the Qaly app.
Sinus Tachycardia read on a Kardia ECG through the Qaly app.

What’s Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)?

V-tach, on the other hand, is a fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. It often results in a heart rate of 100 to 250 beats per minute, which can be life-threatening.

VTach read on an Apple Watch ECG through the Qaly app.
VTach read on an Apple Watch ECG through the Qaly app.


Get your ECG checked by certified experts within minutes on the Qaly app.

Try Qaly for Free
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

On an ECG, VT shows a rapid, regular rhythm with wide and bizarre QRS complexes, often overshadowing the P waves. “Non-sustained” V-tach lasts less than 30 seconds, whereas “sustained” V-tach lasts longer. Here’s more on what V-tach looks like on your watch ECG.

VTach read on a Kardia ECG through the Qaly app.
VTach read on a Kardia ECG through the Qaly app.

What’s the Difference Between Sinus Tachycardia and VT?

A comparison of sinus tachycardia vs VT revolves around their points of origin and their potential health impacts. While sinus tachycardia originates from the sinus node and is generally non-life-threatening, sustained VT originates from the ventricles and can potentially be a medical emergency.

While both rhythms feature a rapid heart rate, sinus tachycardia usually occurs as a response to external factors and resolves when the trigger is addressed. On the other hand, sustained VT is often associated with underlying heart diseases and can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrest, if left untreated.

Remember, while smartwatch ECGs provide us with convenient and useful insights into our heart rhythms, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider if you notice any abnormalities in your heart rhythm. Stay informed, stay proactive, and stay heart healthy!

Still Not Sure if It’s Sinus Tachycardia or Ventricular Tachycardia (Sustained) on Your ECG?

Differentiating between sinus tachycardia vs V-tach 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 Sinus Tachycardia or V-Tach? On the Qaly app, human experts will interpret your ECG for Sinus Tachycardia and V-Tach 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 Sinus Tachycardia or V-Tach? On the Qaly app, human experts will interpret your ECG for Sinus Tachycardia and V-Tach within minutes. Get started today.

Download Qaly