When the Doctor Becomes the Patient

CentraCare – Monticello President John Hering, MD, shares how recognizing symptoms and using smartwatch technology helped detect atrial fibrillation.

It started like any other day for CentraCare – Monticello President John Hering, MD. While attending a professional conference, the schedule felt lighter and less stressful than a typical day overseeing operations at CentraCare – Monticello. After participating in sessions and sharing dinner with colleagues, the evening unfolded routinely, with nothing out of the ordinary.

But when Dr. Hering returned to his hotel room and settled in for the night, he noticed something had changed.

"I had a little extra caffeine at dinner, which I normally avoid after lunchtime," Dr. Hering said. "When I laid down, I felt some heart fluttering. I had experienced palpitations on and off for years, and they had been evaluated before, so initially I assumed it was just the caffeine."

The sensation didn't fade like it usually did.

"Normally those palpitations lasted just a few seconds. This time it kept going. First for 30 seconds, then a minute. That's when I decided to check my pulse and realized it felt irregular."

With his medical background, Dr. Hering understood that a prolonged irregular heartbeat could signal something more serious. While lying in bed, he reached for his Apple Watch, equipped with an atrial fibrillation detection feature.

"I knew the app was there, so I decided to try it. It indicated atrial fibrillation. I ran it again just to confirm, and it showed the same result."

Despite understanding the potential risks, he remained calm and carefully evaluated his symptoms.

"I wasn't lightheaded. I wasn't short of breath or having chest pain. But I also knew I needed to start thinking like a patient, not just a doctor."

After symptoms persisted for nearly an hour, Dr. Hering sought care in the emergency department, arranging transportation rather than driving.

By the time care began, Dr. Hering's heart rhythm had returned to normal. Even though testing in the emergency department did not capture the irregular rhythm, the visit still played an important role in ensuring safety, guiding follow-up care and allowing documentation captured by his smartwatch to support the diagnosis.

"The watch actually stores a recording of the episode. When I met with cardiology at the CentraCare Heart & Vascular Clinic in Monticello, I pulled up the rhythm strip on my phone and showed it to them. It confirmed it was atrial fibrillation and helped the team decide on the right next steps. If needed, they offer comprehensive care for heart rhythm issues, including advanced tools to help prevent AFib‑related strokes."

Dr. Hering emphasizes that wearable technology can be helpful, but it has limitations.

"You have to understand what your device can and cannot do. The atrial fibrillation app is designed specifically for that rhythm. It doesn't diagnose heart attacks, and it shouldn't replace medical care."

Experiencing a medical event personally changed how he views patient care.

"When you're the one experiencing symptoms, it's different. Even with medical knowledge, you can feel anxious. I appreciated when the care team treated me like a patient and explained each step instead of assuming I already knew what would happen."

Following the event, Dr. Hering made lifestyle changes to reduce future risk, including monitoring stress, improving diet, increasing activity and reducing caffeine intake. Fortunately, there has been no recurrence.

"Sometimes atrial fibrillation happens without a clear cause. But it reminded me how important it is to take care of your own health."

Dr. Hering encourages patients and community members to pay attention to symptoms and seek care when something feels different.