Alivecor

[Kbuck1234]

I am looking to buy this - I would be grateful for feedback on whether this device really works or is any good? What other ECG machines or devices would people recommend?

[Rellim296]

My other half bought me an Omron portable ECG monitor. We're very impressed - easy to use, good results. The only snag is that the software to print the ECGs was expensive, so make enquiries. It's much easier if you have a printout of a good example to hand to your GP or EP rather than flip through and find one. It stores up to 300 readings.

[Davesgirl]

My husband has never had any symptoms when he's in AF, doesn't feel any different, so he bought himself an Alivecor second hand from e-bay. It was the best thing he ever did. He now knows exactly what's going on with his heart, whether he's in sinus rhythm or not and can act accordingly.

Rather than become obsessed with his symptoms (which was a concern) he feels more in control.

As for the device itself - the cardiologist knew about Alivecor, so did the GP. Both were impressed with it, and so are we. It works and seems pretty accurate. It's also very easy to see AF or whether you are in sinus rhythm.

Hope this helps.

[Hidden]

Hi, I have an alivecor its excellent. I had mine through AFAssociation since I had mine my local hospital cardiology department is in process of buying some for their use with outptients as they were impressed with my results

[iris1205]

Excellent device. When I am in rapid AF and ocassionally with recent slower AF, thé device nails it everytime. Cardios and other types of doctors here in Switzerland have been very impressed given it is only a single Lead device. Mine was so obvious I didn't need holter monitoring.

The alivecor support staff are brilliant as well. I find their dedication to serving AFers remarkable. They recently modified the application to do a Quick analysis for possibilities of AF at no cost of a technicien reading. I know from expérience what is what, though for newbies it is quite a plus.

I also used it to see what reaction I had to triggers.... that I could prove to doctors. I have known what was AF since my first episode in 2010 as it is rapid and extremely irregular. The device gave me concrete data to give to doctors, and the data was respected!

[BobD Volunteer]

Well loads of positives so in the interest of balance here is my take on it. I never needed a machine to tell me when I was in AF. I also found it far too easy to become OCD about using any kind of device which measured my heart and only started to feel better when the batteries went flat and I started to get on with my life again.

That said, if you are having trouble getting AF on an ecg at the hospital the device CAN be useful if used sparingly and CAN be helpful if it records any other types of arrhythmia such as flutter or SVT. I had mine as part of a trial and it has never worked terribly well on me although others did get good results. Possibly something to do with working in metal and having very hard fingertips.

My own take here is that it can be a useful device during the diagnostic period but once that is done it is far better to get on with life and stop focussing on the AF. "AF may be in my life but it is not all of my life" as a wise man once told me.

Bob

[Offcut in reply to BobD]

100% agree with Bob. I have an oxymeter ( I have lung condition too) that will go screwy when in AF £14.00 and shows heart rate! or even look at lidl arm blood pressure meter with AF warning £14.00 with those two you have got it covered? plus you have your general health monitored.

My only concern is the unit relies on two points but an ECG is 12 lead? But if you have the cash and it makes you fell better why not!

Be Well

[jnh1 in reply to BobD]

Fully and totally agree Bob. J.

[AnticoagulateNow]

I'm entirely with Bob on this. I know when I'm in AF and no 'reading' is going to change anything for me. It would be different if a certain indication on the Alivecor prompted an action - take a certain pill for example - but it doesn't. When my cardiologist is sat in front of me, wouldn't you rather he based his decisions on the results from a 12 lead, mains powered, latest model ECG...... or are you just going to pass him your iPhone?

[Rellim296 in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

But I can get a nice ECG right away with my Omron in the comfort of my home and have no need to go to A&E and get clogged in the system and eventually get a very tepid ECG from a sophisticated machine when my heart has all but settled. And then they say what's all the fuss about? AF, Omron, flecainide, job done. At least that's what it used to be like. I haven't used my Omron for weeks, but it's there if anyone wants to record some sudden erratic when it's at its best.

[Rellim296 in reply to Rellim296]

And it works as a diary. But a bit confusing if other people do recordings as well.

[souljacs4 in reply to Rellim296]

Hi can I ask which Omron machine you have .

[Rellim296 in reply to souljacs4]

It's an Omron HCG 801. About £200. As I said, we had to buy software as well to do a printout, but the results are excellent and very useful. So much better than saying 'my heart went a bit funny'. It will distinguish between irregular / fast heart rate / fast and irregular / irregular and deviating waveform/ fast and deviating waveform / fast, irregular deviating and others. Very pleased with it, especially as it can be used whenever you want to see what your heart is up to if it is erratic. Can be used quickly and takes a 30 second reading. I usually take three or four readings over a couple of hours if I'm in AF and print the most interesting. It records the average heartrate, a short analysis, date and time.

[souljacs4 in reply to Rellim296]

Thank you I have used Omron machines in the past will have a look at this one.

[Rellim296 in reply to souljacs4]

We bought an Omron blood pressure monitor from Asda for £10 something like 6 years ago. Maybe more. Have used it many times. No idea how accurate it is but it seems to work OK and gives my other half readings that are nothing like mine!

[Finvola]

I bought an Alivecor monitor as my PAF was caught only once on Holter monitors and during a two day stay in hospital C Care. The Alivecor recorded my episodes perfectly and enabled my GP and EP to see what was happening - AF, PAC's and tachycardia were all recorded. As a result, my drugs were changed and I am now arrhythmia-free.

It is a good investment when used as a diagnostic tool for a health professional - Alivecor also offer limited analysis of tracings. Interestingly, since being arrhythmia-free, I rarely use it now but if AF returns, I'll be glad to have it at hand to record it.

[Perrylees]

I have one. I have found it re-assuring and it is possible to save and print/e-mail traces which could be really useful if you have anything abnormal happen.

I am seeing my EP tomorrow and intend to ask his opinion -he seems like a vey sensible man so I'll report back!

Ruth

[Bryonny]

I have one. I don't use it very often but when I am feeling unwell with certain symptoms I have taken a recording which I hope will be useful for my EP as when wearing a Holter monitor I haven't had specific symptoms so the medics aren't really clear about what happens at these times. I don't bother to do a recording every week as I don't feel it necessary.

[RobM]

I have an Alivecor for iPhone 5 and use it regularly.

It is really useful for logging meds, taking an ECG then adding info on symptoms plus any other notes e.g. I could show my EP the ECGs with logged symptoms and it gave him some ideas of what had happened. It also highlights patterns.

You can save ECGs as PDF files (easily printed) and you can also email them straight from the app to your consultant.

[jan-ran]

I love my Alivecor. I agree with all the positives other people have mentioned. My gp and cardio were impressed when I could show them a print-out.

JanR

[Perrylees]

As promised had a chat with my EP today. He hadn't seen one before but had heard about it. He had a go himself and was quite impressed... I'm glad to say that my trace looked considerably healthier than his!! Obviously it does not give a full picture but he agreed that it could be very useful and confirmed that he would be happy in principle to accept an emailed reading to assist with investigations of anything unusual.

Hope this helps

Ruth

[gerryatriq]

has anyone used the app with an Android phone? Either Jelly Bean or KitKat op system.

if so does it work and is it reliable