What's a Kardia machine?

[MT51]

As advised, I'm trying to find out more about AF. Have seen mentions of a Kardia machine. What do they do for you and would people recommend them?

[BobD Volunteer]

Kardia or Alivecor as it was known is a small hand held device which links to many i phones and similar devices to take a single lead ECG which can be useful when trying to get diagnosis of paroxysmal AF.

Many people find them very useful but beware it is very easy to become obsessive about using them which can be counter productive and increase stress.; .

[MT51 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for the information, BobD.

[Hidden]

I have had my Kardia for about 18 months and find it invaluable. I delayed buying one earlier as I knew when I was in AF and didn't need a device to tell me.

However when I started experiencing frequent bouts of tachycardia and ectopics I found it very reassuring to capture these and particularly to see if there was a pattern.

I have of course captured AF at rates in excess of 240bpm .Both paramedics and hosp docs had never seen the device before and were quite fascinated.

Ok..some people might become obsessed by it and in the beginning it was my new toy. It certainly didnt cause me any stress...quite the opposite.

One of my best buys...definitely recommend!

Sandra

[Globe-J]

Hi,

I personally would not recommend the unit. As Bob said, it is useful. However, only when it works. Mine has malfunctioned and I am getting nowhere having the software put back in order

J

[irene75359]

I find my Kardia very reassuring. If my heart feels ok I don't bother with it at all, and on some occasions I have used it just to check (for instance when my heart was beating so hard I could see my jumper vibrate). If I do have an episode, I note the dose of flecainide which I use as a PIP and how long it takes to get back to NSR. So it is my diary of AF too.

[P0rtnahapp1e]

Hi, I bought a Kardia about 18 months ago after reading about it on here and did use it every few days for a couple of months. Since then it tends to lie in the bottom of my handbag. I’ve always had the same reading, “possible af”, and on the few occasions when I’ve sent results to be examined at £5 a throw I’ve had replies telling me to seek further advice.

I’m probably not using it to it’s full capabilities but I don’t find it of any particular use.

BTW, I have been diagnosed with AF, HF and dilated cardiomyopathy.

[MT51]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Sounds like the jury's out.

[momist]

I love my Kardia, and wouldn't be without it. It's a slim plastic device about 8cm x 3cm that slides into a holder on the back of your Android or iOS device (phone or tablet) onto which you load it's app. The device has two metal pads which you connect via your fingers across your body through the arms. It gives, as Bob said, a two lead (or single lead depending on viewpoint) ECG (EKG) trace which can be recorded for 30 seconds or more, and you can save the file onto your phone or into the cloud, or email it to your doctor. Cost in the UK is around £99, depending where you buy it.

I understand that some would develop an obsession about using it, but I'm not that obsessive and only turn to it when I need clarification or if I know I am in Afib and want to record the fact for the medics. If I hadn't had the device when I had my second bout, I would NOT now be under the care of an EP, and probably still fighting the NHS 'system' to be taken seriously.

[MT51 in reply to momist]

OK, thanks very much for this info, I'll look into it.

[Buffafly]

If you have regular episodes of AF and have been diagnosed and treated you may not find it useful. If you haven't been diagnosed or you have but feel there are other weird things going on it is very useful! I was able to demonstrate that my medication was causing pauses which resulted in an adjustment and an offer of an ablation. I have recently recorded a different arrhythmia. Without a permanent monitor it would not have shown up. My cardiologist is presently trying to decide if I need a pacemaker and has asked me to try to catch any strange rhythms if possible while I wait for a monitor.

So really up to you whether you think it would be useful or an expensive toy!

[MT51 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks Buffafly. I'm still confused about AF, six months after initial episode. I go along to my doctor every month with my list of questions, get some answers, and then more questions arise! Finding this group very helpful, thanks to all.

[lee49uk]

Hi MT51

I have had my Kardia mobile device hooked upto my phone for just over a year now and have managed to capture a variety of low bpms around 35bpm etc some harmless ectopic beats or missed beats etc and some A-fib episodes. the device is far from perfect but it does in my case at least give me a sense of relief and peace of mind of what is going on with my wonky heartbeats. I am currently awaiting a cardiologist appointment for mid july so the device will come in handy to show them that its not in my head but indeed in my heart where the problem lies as the device gives irrefutable proof that something is wrong and needs further investigation by healthcare professionals to determine the underlying cause.

If you can afford it and have a suitable smart phone tp pair it too and you think it will give you either proof to show a doctor or peace of mind for yourself then it's worth it.

Hope this helps you out.

[lovetogarden]

I've had a Kardia device for about 18 months now. Got it a few months after my 1st ablation, figured it would help me sort out what was normal and if I was still having symptoms. I find it handy and use it to capture anything that feels abnormal. Eventually I had a linq device "installed" so there was better tracking. Let's just say, I like tech toys and data!