56 BPM and Afib?

Just curious what y'all may think about this. A male friend, who is 80, and not very good shape, doesn't exercise, was complaining about lethargy and wondered if he had Afib. He doesn't "feel" it like I did. He won't go to any doctor, hasn't been in years. I suggested he buy a Kardia or Apple watch to see if it registered AFIB. He got one and it read 56 BPM Possible Afib. How can that be? I suggested that he go to an EP but he wants to give it another 2 to 3 weeks and take more readings. Anybody know what may be going on here?

Sure, he has afib. The Kardia said so and it's FDA approved to say so. Afib with a normal heart rate and no symptoms is entirely possible and not all that unusual.

Do you know how to take a pulse? If so, take his, and never mind counting the beats just pay attention to the rhythm. It should be a regular beat, like a drumbeat. If it's an irregular beat with no rhythm, it's afib.

would he be at risk for stroke without any anti coagulant medication?

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LaniB
would he be at risk for stroke without any anti coagulant medication?

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who is 80, and not very good shape, doesn't exercise

My guess is his CHA2DS2–VASc score is materially above the 2 points he'd get just for age. So yes he is at risk. Just because the ventricular rate is low, the atrial rate is high and flow through the LAA is likely slow.