Monitors

[7Helena]

I do remember somebody recommending a BP monitor that also indicates AF pulse rates but can't find it. Can anyone remind me, please. I'm hoping I can get one at Boots as I have quite a few 'points' now to help towards the cost.

[EngMac]

I have an Ozeri Model BP3T. It will tell you if the pulse is irregular but will not give the correct reading. I am not aware of one that does. I think this is why people purchase an AliveCor or the IHeartRhythm devices. Some of the telephone apps show pulse rates but I am not sure if they are correct when in Afib.

[Mazza23 in reply to EngMac]

I have a A&D medical blood pressure device it gives bp heart rate and shows if the heart rate is irregular I am in Australia but it is an English make it was $160.00 have found it very good it does not do ECG

[AnticoagulateNow]

Yes the AliveCor is specifically designed to properly measure arrhythmia. The usual shop bought BP and/or sports heart rate monitors are not and return a spurious and false reading when in AF.

If you want to know your pulse rate while in AF the simplest, quickest and cheapest way is to count the total number of beats in 30 seconds and multiply by two. You're not going to get a reading that is much more accurate than that.

[Buffafly]

Omron 3 has a 'shaky heart' symbol which shows if a certain proportion of beats are out of time and it is fairly accurate, measured my HR at 130 which was the same as hospital monitor.

[Thomas45]

The Kinetik Upper Arm BP monitor is recommended by the British Hypertension Society. If you're often in AF then it's probably not for you. My AF is controlled by medication and so I use the Kinetik every day. I have an enlarged prostate and the medication for that lowers my BP so the doctor suggested I bought a monitor. It cost £20, and runs on 4 AAA batteries (which come with it). Having the monitor is not just peace of mind for me but it's also helped me work out the best time to take the prostate medication. I tend to get light-headed about 13 hours after taking the medication so now take it earlier so I'm asleep when BP is lowest.

[seasider18 in reply to Thomas45]

Does your prostate not get you up during the night? When I was prescribed (in 2004) Flowmax it put my heart rate up to 130 bpm and Proscar gave me a headache.

[Thomas45 in reply to seasider18]

My enlarged prostate used to get me up 6 - 7 times during the night. Now that I'm taking Doxazosin 8mg modified release it's down to one ot two times, if I'm careful about what I drink (e.g. no fruit juice after 7pm). I tend to wake up around dawn in any case, and go to the loo because I'm awake. Fortunately I can sleep easily after I've woken up.

Doxazosin is also used for lowering blood pressure so on occasions my blood pressure is low (such as 85/51). Ive just tested it and it's 125/68 which is not bad. Pulse rate at 81 is a bit higher than normal (normally about 61 for me).

[seasider18 in reply to Thomas45]

I've just been reading some of your other posts. We are both in about the same boat with reactions to so many drugs. In my case Warfarin gives me pain in my weight bearing joints.

Did Doxazosin cause any problem when you had your cataract operation as it and Tamsulosin can cause floppy iris syndrome.

Have you considered laser surgery for your prostate? I had Green Light PVP in 2005 and Holmium Laser in 2013 after it regrew. Now I might have considered the new options of Urolift or PAE.

[soupersue]

I think it was me who posted about the monitor which shows pulse rate and afib.

The monitor was from Lidl but it was a 'special offer' and probably all gone for now.

I put a picture of it on as well. They come in about once a year, I've had mine for two years and find it helpful.

[alrk]

Does anyone have this microlife

one?

microlife.com/technologies/...

[Hidden in reply to alrk]

I have the model Microlife WatchBP home monitor which does record an AF event. I'm not technically minded so I referred to the NICE Report on it - it is in effect endorsed by NICE as a result of their study into the device.

[Fletch1]

Just had unexpected spell in Hospital cardio unit (via A & E) when consultant told me that home monitors did not give true reading. Perhaps they "trend" rather give correct info. Anyone know?

[seasider18 in reply to Fletch1]

I have an old Omron M4 and a newer Omron MIT Elite. I liked the M4 as I could heart my heart beats on it but it often flashed up error did not do the reading and did not give an irregular heart beat warning although I could hear that for myself. The Elite often flashes error first thing in the morning when my readings are higher.

This was answer from the company:

"We can never guarantee readings with this condition, however newer models with irregular heartbeat detection do a much better job of getting a reading with someone who has arrhythmia.

The M4 won't due to it's age whereas the MIT Elite does, this is why there is an error on the M4.

While the beep is a useful feature, bumping the cuff or moving the body can make it beep also.

The gold standard for someone with arrhythmia is doing it manually, you can then compare with the MIT Elite to confirm the accuracy"

[Dave49]

I bought one at Lloyds, £18.00 cuff and batteries included.

[tennissenior]

Helena - The "chain pharmacies" carry them. Portable BP machines that measure BP and pulse. We're not allowed to promote products on this forum, but if you ask your local pharmacist, he can tell you if they carry it or you can order one on-line. They run anywhere from $35 - $70, depending on what features you want. My hematologist uses the portable one in his office. I'm sure you will find one! Good luck!

[Harboreyes63]

I have the Alivecor and it works famously. When I was in the hopital in April the doctors wanted to see if it was accurate and did an EKG at the same time to see if they matched and it did. Also you can email the results to your doctor. I had cyroablation on May 8 and so far so good....haven't had to use it very much thank goodness. Good luck in finding something that works for you.

[dedeottie]

Microsoft watch NO. It does quite a few things plus shows when it thinks you are in A.F. unfortunately I know as soon as my heart goes out of rhythm so don't need it! X

[dedeottie in reply to dedeottie]

Watch B.P.!!

[Dave49 in reply to dedeottie]

I keep a watch on my BP and pulse as instructed by my cardiologist. They are both irregular, causing a little conundrum for them. I'm waiting for the outcome of the monitoring that I've been on for several months now.

[SongPlayer68]

I can recommend the OMRON 10-IT blood pressure monitor. Omron is a high quality Japanese company, though the monitor is assembled in China. It detects Atrial Fibrillation and will give a blood pressure and pulse reading if it can. Sometimes due to AFib it displays an 'E' for error, if the detected pulse and blood pressure levels are too erratic.

When in AFib the pulse readings are always inaccurate on any monitor, no matter how expensive or professional, unless the readings are taken for a full 60 seconds. In practise, perhaps ten seconds are sampled and the figure is then multiplied by six inside the monitor to simulate a full minute. That is why 2 consecutive readings are wildly different, because in one 10-second period there may be, for example, 11 beats,(=66) and the next 10 seconds may produce a flurry of 25 beats (150). The daily measurements can be transferred to a computer and printed out without having to buy a special program - it's all included.

Boots sell this Monitor for £113 but Amazon were recently selling it for £46 delivered, and a reliable company called Medisave.co.uk sell it for for £56 delivered.

Hope I have been helpful,

SongPlayer 68

[7Helena]

Thank you all for your replies (I can always rely on members of this forum to supply useful answers). I'll investigate each one of these and purchase one. Unfortunately, I'm one of those that can't always tell if I'm in AF, I have various symptoms which can get very confusing at times. I'm not good at taking my own pulse. I used to rely on my husband to check it but sadly he's becoming unable to do this.

Perhaps it's not essential to know but I have NFH who harass me and I need a record for my adviser of the AF the stress caused.

[rosyrosie]

I have an App on my phone AF Detect. It is only a rough guide but it is good. You just place your finger on the camera light at the back of the phone for a minute. It was free I think. Have had it a while. Just download online. When heart rate steady and consistent it shows a green reading. When a bit irregular a yellow reading (possible AF). When very irregular a red reading (AF detected). It can only be an approximate guide as it is depending on heart beats reaching your finger tip but I do find it very good.

[7Helena]

Thank you Rosierosie but I only have a basic mobile phone as we have no signal here.

[heartmatters1]

I have the Boots Intelli Sense BP monitor which has a hypertension indicator & irregular heartbeat detector.

Ally

[AFAssociation1]

The AliveCor Mobile ECG will record an ECG in just 30 seconds and as previously mentioned by others here, you can then email these ECGs to your consultant. The monitor will also record your pulse rate and indicate if you are in AF. AF Association have some of the iPhone 5/5s version for £65 but I should point out that this version is compatible with all iPhones/Android phone as the centre pops out and can be held against the back of the phone.

The WatchBP blood pressure monitor has been recommended by NICE for use with atrial fibrillation and also has an atrial fibrillation indicator.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Vicki

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