Heart Rate Monitors

[G1703]

I wondered if anyone regularly uses a heart rate monitor. I have used one that is an app on my phone but I rather assume that these aren't very accurate at all. If you do use one then which one do you use? Any help greatly appreciated. I know it's easy to get a bit paranoid about these things but I am just concerned to make sure that I am doing whatever I should be doing.

[Suzanne-Cheshire]

Yes I use Alivecor which is brilliant at recording heart rate data and fibrillation episodes. The data can be emailed directly to your EP too - saves having to wear the Holter monitor

[IanMK in reply to Suzanne-Cheshire]

Although EPs are generally happy to review traces from an AliverCor Kardia monitor (that works in conjunction with a smartphone) the traces are of short duration. For this reason, they still use a Holter monitor if a 24 hour or multiple day record is required.

A word of warning to G1703: if you're paranoid, it's easy to become dependent/fixated on your Kardia monitor.

[CDreamer in reply to IanMK]

Although it isn’t continuous as a Holter, it does mean you can catch it if you are chasing a diagnosis. I’ve had Holter monitors on and then not had an episode and of course had one the day after removed. Dr Gupta did a video on the various types of monitors and their individual benefits and downsides. I seem to remember he mentions AliveCor and said the disadvantage was that it didn’t show what happened just before an AF episode and that could be significantly.

I’ve had an AliveCor (Kardia now) since 2013 and think they are great and really works for me. I’ve not got addicted and only use it once a week unless I feel an episode and just record for my EP and to show evidence of frequency.

[Suzanne-Cheshire in reply to IanMK]

Yes you are absolutely right - it is a supplementary addition to the holter monitor, useful on occasion instead of it, but certainly not a replacement for it. Thanks for pointing that out

[beardy_chris]

I have a Fitbit Charge 2 which includes a heart rate monitor function. There is a lot of doubt about its accuracy (also expressed in this forum) but I find it helpful to pick up trends if not exactly gospel truth at all times. I have permanent AFib so it probably isn't a very fair test! Broadly, I find it reassuring.

[mbheart in reply to beardy_chris]

I agree -- I really find the Fitbit HR monitor helpful for my permanent afib.

[CDreamer in reply to mbheart]

I found the FitBit the most reliable and accurate for general HR - but fed up of them falling apart so bought an iWatch - which is good for tracking HR trends but i am not sure it as accurate as the FitBit.

[Rebma in reply to beardy_chris]

How high is your rate if you are in permanent Afib? I didn’t know you could be in permanent afib. I was in afib with crazy rate and rythum. Had abliation and conversion and tons of different meds. Doctor told me I had to be in sinus. What are you monitoring ifnin constant afib? Do you always feel exhausted? I am 5 months post anblation. Ep tells me still not sure if it worked. That is where the confusion comes in for me. He says no events. Thank you.

[beardy_chris in reply to Rebma]

Cardiologists usually try to use drugs to maintain a resting heartbeat of 60 - 100 bpm. On the whole, those in permanent AFib are usually relatively symptom-free - or more aggressive treatment would probably be recommended. My EP said ablation wasn't worth the risks because it wouldn't really make me feel much better - so their policy is rate-control not rhythm control. Studies suggest that rate control leads to a slightly better life expectancy if it can be tolerated.

[Rebma in reply to beardy_chris]

Thank you. I hope your medicine continues to work for you. I wouldn’t want to go in for another ablation. It was rough. Some people do fine. Best of health to you.

[mbheart in reply to beardy_chris]

I have permanent afib and you described exactly me -- asymptomatic, EP said not worth it to do ablation, medication controls rate which is usually around 63 resting rate.

[fallingtopieces]

You won’t beat a Kardia. I don’t agree with those who say you become obsessed with it 🙄.

You will use it a lot at first but that is good; it’s you getting to know the device and your own heart.

The Kardia is 100% a great help in my view and provides proof of what’s going on if needed, or just reassurance. An investment in my book.

It’s possible the app is initially set for 30 seconds duration which can be changed. If you get one,(I recommend) remove the 30 second restriction on recording. With that restriction off, you can choose to stop at 30 seconds if you like or carry on for a several minutes.

Pat

[Bshersey]

I don't have a Kardia, so I can't vouch for that. I do have a Wahoo, which is a chest strap monitor that reads to an app on my phone. I like it a lot. I don't trust wrist-based monitors like FitBit, or even a smart watch. They can be seriously inaccurate.

[pottypete1]

I used to use an app on my phone.

I stopped using it about a year ago and I am now a little less paranoid.

I found that checking my heart rate became a bit of an obsession. Now although I get Ectopics each day I am much more relaxed which is very helpful in reducing stress.

I know also that others like to know and it is a comfort.

Pete

[Japaholic]

I use Kardia/Alivecor monitor on an old iPhone 4, it works well enough hat my EP can receive my readings by email and review them before an appointment.

He said (from the EPs mouth) it’s not comparable to a 12 lead monitor BUT it allows him to see events he otherwise wouldn’t see.

Whenever i take a reading I fax it straight from my phone.

Wouldn’t be without it, though the new modes are too pricey....

[KMRobbo]

I only knew I had at originally owing to the heart trace on my Garmin 305 running GPS with chest strap.

My wife's fit bit does not pick up the fast hr. , so I suspect all wrist monitors will suffer the same.

By omron om 6 blood pressure monitor also cannot count when in afib.

However what is it you are trying to establish?

If you are wishing to know if you are in afib maybe you would be better with a Kardia? I do not have one so cannot comment further but I am sure many others have these.

It is very difficult to check your wrist pulse if in fast AF (160bpm) but is is easier if you feel on your neck 1 inch below the corner of your jaw near your ear. I usually feel the left side. Count beats in 10 sec and multiply by 6!

Regards

[momist]

Hi G1703 , welcome to an ongoing debate about heart monitoring devices.

Others will disagree with me, no doubt, but here is my take on the subject:

Most "heart monitors", including phone apps and fitness watches of all types with the facility, use a small photocell and one or two LEDs (the phone app uses the camera flash for light and camera) to measure the 'pinkness' of the surface of the skin. This, apparently, changes slightly (or even minutely) with each rhythmic change in blood pressure as the capillaries in the skin enlarge under the increased pressure. This can be averaged out to produce a number which roughly corresponds with your pulse rate.

Blood pressure monitors also give a heart rate, but measure it by detecting the pulse directly while measuring the blood pressure. They also tend to assume a regular rhythm, and average out the reading.

Now here's a thing; when your heart is in AF, there is no regularity to it's beats, and also, due to the irregularity of the beating, the heart ventricles are not always full when it does beat and therefore your pulse (increase in blood pressure) never actually happens on such beats and cannot therefore be measured.

I am also one of those who carry a Kardia device by Alivecor. This is a small electronic device in a piece of plastic which can be stuck to the case of your phone, or carried loose if you prefer. It has two metal contacts to place your fingers (or other body parts) on, and it detects the electrical activity of the heart, filtering out all the other bodies electrical signals, and graphs them. It will not work on it's own, you need to connect it to an App on the phone or tablet, which it communicates with by ultrasound. Only Apple or Android devices have the app, and not all devices are equal. Most cheap android phones or tablets will work, but some have said that the noise cancelling microphone on flagship phones defeat them. I no nothing about that.

The Kardia system is also available in one of the very expensive Apple watches, which will only work in conjunction with an up to date Apple iPhone. There are other, more expensive, heart rate monitors available. Most have to be permanently strapped around your chest.

The last time I was in AF, my Fitbit Charge2 showed a heart rate of 76, while resting (usually 54 ish). My Kardia gave the true picture with a rate up in the 180s and higher, and no rhythm evident. I still have the recordings, and I sent them to my EP's secretary.

[G1703]

Thank you everyone for your responses regarding heart rate monitors. Very helpful.

[soupersue]

I use a Sanitas monitor that I bought for £9.99 from Lidl several years ago. It shows blood pressure, heart rate and tells me if I am in AFib.

It is a great little machine and has a memory if you need to refer back.