I was diagnosed with AF in 2010, I have had 3 ablutions without success. On my last check up at St Thomas’s I explained that despite the tablets which keep the problem under control in the main, I still suffer episodes, which can last up to 36 hours. The doctor said that since my last ablation in 2012, they have improved the procedure and he thought they may be able to cure the AF, however, they needed to ensure that it was AF causing the problem. He said either I needed to get an ECG whilst suffering the problem or alternatively get Kardia Mobile and sent them the results, which I have. They confirmed it is AF and took the Kardia Mobile reports as evidence and I am now on the waiting list for another ablation. I would recommend Kardia Mobile to anyone suffering with AF or suspected AF as this provides proof accepted by the medical profession. 10/10 to Kardia Mobile.
AF: I was diagnosed with AF in 2010, I... - Atrial Fibrillati...
AF
Hi found this interesting but what is kardia mobile thanks Poppy Storey
Poppy, it is a simple monitoring device used to detect AF which works in conjunction with an app downloaded on an iPhone/iPad or I believe, android phone. Just search “Kardia Mobile” on YouTube to find out more. Available via Amazon and sometimes from the AF Association.
Your comments reflect my experience in that many EP’s, Cardiologist’s and Arrhythmia Nurses are happy to receive Kardia reports. They are also regularly used at Pulse Check public events that I have attended.
Why should you have to pay for this though? I’ve not yet been diagnosed with my second lot of heart issues tho I suspect maybe AF.I looked at kardia but at £100 is way out of my price range.Could your doc not done a 24/48 hr monitor?
GP can't as they don't have the Holters and most hospitals have a quite a long waiting list for Holter monitor . Many GPs don't even have ecg machines from what I read on here. catching AF is always the problem as it always seems to vanish as soon as you arrive at doctor or hospital.
Oh doesn’t it just lol. I just had a24 hr monitor but because I seem to have many episodes a day the activity was recorded along with the extra beats. I’m now just waiting for my referral to cardiology again ffs xxxxx
Yes you're right there Bob. I had a 6 day monitor on last week and on the whole I didn't feel too bad. I took it back on Saturday and as I was walking out of the hospital wham it all started. Palpitations, ectopic beats, feeling dreadful (luckily none of the extremely fast tachy as I would have gone back in the hospital although being a Saturday it was a bit like ghost town. Ever since and all this week my chest has been thumping and bumping and nothing (as far as I know) recorded on the 6 day halter monitor last week. Grrrrrr
If you are referred to a cardiologist/electrophysiologist they will do an ecg and if that doesn’t catch it then they will do a 24/48 monitor. The problem is , as you know the intermittent nature of most people’s AF so often it is still not diagnosed. Ask your GP if they have an ecg machine. If yes you could ask if you could come in immediately you feel an episode starting and get monitored. This might be especially possible if your episodes last for some time. All of this takes time and can be worrying and stressful.
The advantage of having a kardia is when you feel the arrhythmias you can take your own “mini ecg” and then you have evidence. I know £100 is a lot for some people but if you can scrape it together it might be worth it for your health.
Good luck. 🍀
Are there any reliable apps besides kardia ? I’ve recently got a smart watch that continually records . It records all the raised and low HRs but the exact details may not be 100 percent
I only have experience of the kardia. It’s not an app but a piece of equipment that syncs with an app on your phone or tablet. It is specifically designed to detect AF. Most people on here seem to think it is the only reliable affordable “mini ecg” machine.
I remember how frustrating it was trying to get a diagnosis and wish I knew about it at the time. I got mine after my ablation so I could monitor what was happening.
Good luck
Whilst I understand that this is a lot of money for very many people, I agree with lallym. I had many mobile devices given by my GP which did not capture AF episode - but the Kardia did. It’s not compulsory & it is elitist but if you can afford it or if you even know someone with one or can borrow one - it really helps. I don’t use mine anymore so passed it on to my husband who does. I also know of some GP practices who loan them out to patients so maybe worth asking around. I had so many dashes to A&E to get an ECG trace - but my efforts were always in vain as I self converted before I got hooked up so chased diagnosis for quite a few years.
Best wishes.
I’ve not been diagnosed as yet but I’m thinking it could be AF as my heart rate is often all over with extra beats as well.i was just curious as to why the doctor advised to get the device as opposed to loaning etc . Is all. Tc xxx
I was told because there wasn’t one GP out 15 in our practice that could read an ECG compentely - so they now refer to cardiology anyway. And the wait for an NHS appointment is growing ever longer...........
Isn’t it just especially when the receptionist leave your referral on the bottom of a pile 😔
If Argos sell the device I could loan it 😃
I’ve so far been diagnosed with micro vascular angina, arterial spasm and now recently a heart murmur and a leaky valve .xx
I’ve used my Kardia for almost 2 yrs and it’s been an invaluable tool in dealing with AF. It’s helped me tune into my heart; I basically know when I’m in AF, but confirm it with Kardia.
In my area here in the US, some practices are getting set up on the Pro plan so that they can track Kardia results directly.
My former EP likes to be on top of technology, so I had one of the first Reveal Linq implanted heart monitors in 2014. It’s quite small, maybe 2 inches long, about the size of a few matches, and is inserted under the skin in the chest, near the heart.
It tracks every heartbeat 24/7 and transmits via Bluetooth nightly to a device that then transmits to the EP office. AF episodes are flagged. Pretty cool!
When I’d go for a check up, they’d take a reading that would generate a report of every episode & the percentage of AF burden over the given time period. My current EP uses it, too. I think it’s becoming standard here.
Battery life is only 3 years and so by the time it was dying, I was using Kardia. Plus, I could generally tell when I was in AF by then, so I decided not to get a new one.
The Linq gave me peace of mind back when I didn’t know when I was in AF.
Those Holter monitors are such a pain to wear. I wore one for a bit back in 2013.
This topic makes me feel grateful for having landed in this window of time when these devices have come along to help deal with AF.
It might be worth checking to see if your EPs in the UK are starting to use the Reveal Linq. It’s made by Medtronic.
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