What Does Low Heart Rate Mean on a Samsung ECG?

If you're performing an ECG with your smartwatch, you don't want to see anything other than Normal Sinus Rhythm. Seeing Inconclusive, High Heart Rate, and Low Heart Rate is confusing.

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However, while getting a Low Heart Rate result on your Samsung ECG isn’t ideal, there’s usually not a reason to worry. In most cases, there's a simple explanation for a Low Heart Rate result, and we’ll discuss when there may be more cause for concern.

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What Does Low Heart Rate Mean on a Samsung ECG?

Your Samsung ECG feature will be able to detect and measure your heart rate down to 50 beats per minute. Anything lower than 50 bpm will cause an “Inconclusive: Low Heart Rate” result on the ECG. Here are some of the reasons you might have a low heart rate:

• You're on drugs or medication that slows your heart rate.
• You're in excellent physical condition and have a naturally low resting heart rate.
• You consumed alcohol.
• The watch isn't on your wrist correctly, or it's on the wrong wrist.
• You have a heart arrhythmia.

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While in most cases, there's no reason to worry about getting a low heart rate result, it could also mean you have a cardiac arrhythmia.
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Should You Be Worried If Your Samsung ECG Indicates Low Heart Rate?

Whether or not you should worry about your low heart rate result depends on how you feel and your normal heart rate. There's no reason to worry if you usually have a resting heart rate of less than 50. However, if a low heart rate is unusual for you and you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Extreme fatigue
• The feeling like you're about to fall asleep
• Pain or tightness in your chest
• Inability to catch your breath
• Trouble focusing or remembering details

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It's important to realize that your Samsung ECG feature isn't always perfect. ECGs performed in medical settings will usually have six to twelve leads. Your smartwatch ECG, however, only has a single lead, which means it won't always be as consistent or accurate as other ECGs.

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Additionally, your Samsung watch has limitations and isn't designed to catch every heart arrhythmia or anomaly. Here's what it's meant to do:

• Measure your heart rate
• Detect Afib if your heart rate is between 50 and 120 beats per minute
• Detect a completely normal Sinus Rhythm if your heart rate is between 50 and 120 beats per minute

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The result will be inconclusive if your ECG indicates anything outside of these.

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What Should You Do Next?

When you get a low heart rate result on your, it's normal to feel a slight pang of fear or anxiety. If you haven’t already, we recommend taking another high-accuracy ECG to double-check:

1. Wait for five to ten minutes.
2. Perform a second ECG test with your smartwatch.
3. Keep your arms on a table and don't move them.
4. Only wear the watch on the wrist you specified during setup.
5. Make sure the watch is snug around your wrist.
6. Clean your wrist where the watch touches it and ensure there isn't any dirt, debris, or moisture that could affect the reading.

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However, if you get a Low Heart Rate result again and are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, don't dilly-dally. Contact your doctor or emergency services immediately.

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How Can QALY Help With a Low Heart Rate Reading?

First, try learning how to interpret your ECG for possible signs of abnormality. Also, feel free to send your Samsung ECG results to the health experts on the QALY app, who’ll review your ECG for arrhythmias within minutes.

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Sources

How to Measure ECG with the Galaxy Watch Active2 and Watch3 (samsung.com)

Inaccurate or no ECG results in Samsung Health Monitor

Bradycardia - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

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