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EP-EDGE Heart Talk is a patient-focused cardiology podcast created and hosted by Dr. Niraj Sharma, MD, FACC, FHRS—a board-certified cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist dedicated to helping patients and caregivers understand their heart rhythm conditions with clarity and confidence.
This podcast breaks down complex heart rhythm issues into simple, practical conversations you can trust. Each episode explores topics such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), palpitations, PVCs, SVT, ventricular arrhythmias, pacemakers, ICDs, heart failure, stroke prevention, and lifestyle factors that improve heart rhythm health. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or trying to understand how heart rhythm disorders affect daily life, EP-EDGE Heart Talk gives you clear explanations, real-world guidance, and evidence-based insights directly from a heart-rhythm specialist.
With a warm, accessible style, Dr. Sharma walks listeners through the why, how, and what next of heart rhythm conditions—covering diagnosis, treatment options, medications, catheter ablation, wearable devices, and the latest advances in electrophysiology. Each episode empowers you to make informed decisions, ask better questions in clinic, and take charge of your heart health.
If you want a trustworthy, easy-to-follow resource on A-fib, arrhythmias, cardiac procedures, and day-to-day heart health, EP-EDGE Heart Talk is here to guide you—one heartbeat at a time.
Welcome to EP Edge Heart Talk, a podcast created to guide patients and caregivers through heart and heart rhythm conditions clearly, calmly and with real medical insight. I am Doctor. Sharma, cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. Every day I meet people who say I wish someone could explain this in a way I can actually understand. That is exactly why this podcast exists.
Dr Niraj Sharma:EP Edge Heart Talk provides reliable, simple explanations about arrhythmias, pacemakers, ablation, and heart rhythm care. No jargon, no confusion, just clear guidance that helps you make confident decisions. Today's episode focuses on a topic nearly all of us interact with: smartwatches. If you've ever received an alert saying irregular rhythm or possible AFib, you know how alarming that moment can feel. So in today's episode, we're going to break this down clearly.
Dr Niraj Sharma:We'll explore: How accurate smartwatches truly are When alerts matter Why false alarms happen whether smartwatches can replace heart monitors, and how to use these devices safely. Let's begin. More than half a billion people now wear smartwatches. For many patients, the first clue of a heart rhythm problem comes from a smartwatch alert, not from symptoms. So understanding what these devices do well and where they struggle is essential.
Dr Niraj Sharma:Patients often ask me, Can I trust my watch when it says I might have atrial fibrillation? When smartwatches capture a clean ECG strip, the accuracy for detecting AFib is very high, around 95%. Even the green light sensors called photoplethysmography perform well. But in younger, healthy users, false positives become more common. My take for patients: If your watch captures a clear ECG showing possible AFib, take it seriously, but always confirm with your doctor.
Dr Niraj Sharma:Smartwatches do get confused. People with pacemakers or ICDs, left bundle branch block, very low voltage signals, frequent skipped beats, or shaky hands often get inconclusive results. That doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It means the algorithm is unsure. Think of it like trying to read handwriting while riding in a moving car.
Dr Niraj Sharma:After an AFib ablation, many patients ask, Is my smartwatch enough to check for recurrence? For many people, yes. When worn consistently, smartwatches detect meaningful AFib episodes almost as well as implantable monitors. They may miss extremely short episodes, ones that usually do not change management. But if you are high risk or your doctor is considering stopping your blood thinner, a more sensitive monitor may be required.
Dr Niraj Sharma:Even though smartwatches are accurate, false alarms still happen, especially in younger users. It's a math issue. When only one percent of people have AFib, even a very accurate device can generate many alerts in people who do not have it. A false alarm does not mean your heart is in danger. It means your watch saw something unusual and wants a second look.
Dr Niraj Sharma:Here is how to use your watch correctly: If you get a possible AFib alert, sit down, relax your arm, take a clean ECG, send the PDF to your doctor. After ablation a few clean ECGs per week are enough. If you are young and low risk, understand that most alerts will be false positives. Turn off notifications if they cause anxiety. If you have a pacemaker or frequent skipped beats, expect inconclusive results.
Dr Niraj Sharma:Watches are not the right diagnostic tool in those cases. To summarize, smartwatches can detect AFib accurately, help with post ablation monitoring, and provide early warnings. Smartwatches cannot evaluate paced rhythms, left bundle branch block, extremely low burden AFib, and they cannot decide whether blood thinners are safe to stop. They are powerful tools, but they work best when paired with medical expertise. Thank you for listening to this first episode of EPH Hard Talk.
Dr Niraj Sharma:If you found it helpful, follow the podcast and share it with someone who uses a smartwatch or has AFib. Thank you for joining me for this very first episode of EP Edge Heart Talk. I truly appreciate every listener who is beginning this journey with me. And I am grateful for the trust you place in this podcast. I look forward to guiding you through many more conversations to come.
Dr Niraj Sharma:I'm Doctor. Sharma. I'll see you next time. Bye for now.