Adam Croft was not expecting to be diagnosed with a heart condition – but after his Apple Watch alerted him in the middle of the night, that’s exactly what happened.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of arrhythmia that causes a quivering or irregular heartbeat – and it affects at least 2.7 million Americans. The main symptom of AFib is a quivering heartbeat, but can also include fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, anxiety, weakness, faintness, and sweating.
Adam Croft, 36, from the UK, noticed last month his Apple Watch had been alerting him through the night that his heart was in atrial fibrillation. Croft told BBC News that he called the UK non-life threatening emergency helpline, 111, for advice, who told him to get to the emergency room within the hour. At the hospital he had two electrocardiograms, which measures the electrical activity of the heart, and doctors later confirmed he had AFib.
Croft told Insider he shared his story to raise awareness and make sure others take their symptoms seriously. He said that he wouldn’t have sought medical assistance if his Apple Watch hadn’t alerted him, and assumed he was just getting sick.
AFib can be serious as it leads to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure in some cases. It mostly affects older people, those with high blood pressure or heart disease, people who drink heavily, athletes, and people with other chronic conditions.
Since being diagnosed, Croft has been offered cardioversion – a procedure that restores a regular rhythm – and blood thinners because of the risk of blot clots, which can cause a stroke. Croft said doctors have also said he should minimize stress in his life and continue with a healthy diet and exercise.
It’s important to remember that AFib can come with no symptoms, which is why Croft shared his story – to remind people to be aware of their bodies, and to take action if they experience any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms. If you experience any of the symptoms of AFib, it’s important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
