ECG monitors

[cdgsmith]

Hi, I am thinking of buying a hand held ecg monitor does anybody have any recommendations.

[BobD Volunteer]

Alivecor/Kardia is about the only one I would suggest if you must but be careful it doesn't take over your life. Great for getting a diagnosis but once you know that you have AF it is best to get on with life rather than worrying when it might happen.

[cdgsmith in reply to BobD]

Thanks for your help and suggestions, I don't have an up to date mobile phone, so I am looking for something I can use without a phone, so not the Kardia, bit more expensive I know.

[Dodie117]

Agree with Bob. Kardia, when used correctly is very useful for detecting AF and arming you with information for EP/doctors. It will not tell you what else is happening unless you are expert at reading ecg printouts. It will give 3 options :

Normal, possible AF (usually means you are in AF) or Unclassified. You can email reports to yourself (or your doctors ) and keep printouts.

For £5 you can ask kardia to analyse. I have used this a couple of times when I got “unclassified”. My EP found the printouts useful.

Especially useful if you have not yet had a diagnosis and AF is elusive.

Don’t use obsessively!!

[mjames1]

Only the Kardia right now. If you don't have a suitable smart phone, buy an inexpensive used phone off ebay. My understanding is that you don't even have to have your phone hooked up to a cell network or wifi to use the Kardia Mobile. Then, if you want to email the ecg to a doctor, etc, you can do that when you're within range of a wifi network.