PLANO, Texas— Competitive swimmer Brad von Readen was several laps into his workout when he began having trouble getting air and his shoulders were abnormally tight. His smartwatch flagged that his heart rate was spiking, which was far from normal.

Having dealt with atrial fibrillation (AFib) eight years ago — an irregular heartbeat that causes the top chambers of the heart to quiver — von Readen knew the telltale signs, which sometimes include dizziness, anxiety and shortness of breath.

“The rapid heartbeat and even my sudden fatigue were dead giveaways,” von Readen said. “Plus, when I accessed the heart rhythm detector app on my smartwatch, on the screen, it read, ‘You’re in AFib.’”

The Plano resident knew he needed medical attention and went immediately to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.

Knowing the signs, providing valuable information

Von Readen called his wife, Kim von Readen, before arriving at the Emergency Department. She has worked at Texas Health Plano for nearly 20 years as an administrative assistant.

“I was scared, because it had been such a long time since his last AFib episode, but I knew he was in the best hands possible and the care team would do everything necessary to provide him with great care,” said Kim von Readen. “It was extremely helpful that Brad wears his watch while swimming, because it gave Dr. [Jacob] Orchard the capability to see when he went into AFib, too.”

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology estimated that more than 10 million adults, or 5% of the U.S. population, are living with AFib. It’s projected that by 2030, more than 12 million adults in the U.S. will have the condition. Research also determined that more than 60% of patients living with AFib had no prior knowledge of it before it was diagnosed.

Receiving compassionate, emergency care

Orchard, an emergency medicine physician on the Texas Health Plano medical staff, performed an electrical cardioversion to reset von Readen’s heart back to a normal rhythm. While von Readen was under anesthesia, Orchard placed small paddles on his chest and sent an electrical shock to his heart.

“Sometimes, individuals have no AFib symptoms; but thankfully, Mr. von Readen knew the warning signs,” Orchard said. “His previous knowledge, critical information documented on his smartwatch, along with detailed exams performed in the Emergency Department, led to a positive outcome.”

Less than three hours after arriving at Texas Health Plano, von Readen was resting comfortably at home. The 61-year-old is back in the water, too.

“I’ve been swimming competitively since high school, and it’s something that comes naturally to me,” von Readen said. “Thanks to modern technology and the immediate and compassionate care I received at Texas Health Plano, I’m enjoying my family and my passion for swimming.”

*Doctors on the medical staffs practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health hospitals or Texas Health Resources. © 2026 Texas Health Resources.