Kardia

[dindy]

Hi All. Just wondering if the Kardia unit is any benefit if you are in permanent Afib or is it more of value to someone with paroxysmal or intermittent episodes .

I am in permanent although only diagnosed 3 weeks ago and I have read how good the Kardia is but not sure if it will only tell me what I onlready know, I am permanent. Any clues on if I would benefit from a Kardia??

Coming to end soon of my 1st batch of meds in 3 days time. Apixapan & Digoxin. Spoke to the doctor last week on Wednesday 26th and said she will put the meds on my records and order them straight away together with some Ferrous Fumarate. Normally I order my prescriptions through Echo but as this was the 1st order they were going to be delivered to Lloyds for pick up in 5 days.

Went over yesterday and they said there were no meds to be picked up,panic. Phoned my surgery and got through to the person who deals with prescriptions and she told me yes they are on your records but doctor did not order them!!! more panic.

Anyway she done it there and then to be delivered by Echo normally in 48 hours which will be tight. Got the notification from Echo Digoxin..out of stock , Ferrous Fumarate..out of stock. Luckily the most important one the Apixapan is in stock. I will just have to sit still and not let my heart rate rise too much while waiting for the Digoxin.

[BigDunc]

Tha Kardia device is really good when your in AF as it accurately measures your Heart Rate so you can adjust your meds should you need too.

I’ve recently experienced longer episodes of AF and If you workout or exercise vigorously you can keep an an eye on your BPM and ensure it remains at an acceptable rate

[LaceyLady]

The good thing is you can share the readings with your GP and Cardiologist via media. You can see what your heart is doing. My Consultant really likes them and recommends. I recently had an AG episode, I’d taken 3 readings and sent them to him over email, he responded 👍🏻

[Thomas45]

I have been in permanent AF for about five years. It is asymptomatic. As my heart rate is just a little above normal, and because of unacceptable side effects to beta blockers I do not take any medication for AF, though do take an anticoagulant daily.

With agreement of all I have been discharged by the hospital to the care of my GPs, and also have access to another GP in the group which runs my medical centre, who has a thorough knowledge of AF and other arrhythmias, (and is a Trustee of the AF Association).

As I am exceedingly unlikely ever to return to normal sinus rhythm I cannot see any point in buying a bit of technology which will tell me what I already know.

[baba]

Even in permanent AF things can change.

I also had normal heart rates (70-90), permanent AF and was on no medication apart from anticoagulant.

I had occasional long pauses between heart beats leading to collapse and loss of consciousness. I now have a pacemaker.

[cuore]

How do you know you are in permanent if you were diagnosed only three weeks ago?

[dindy in reply to cuore]

Hi Baba. Good pick up, I meant persistant not permanent!! Still getting muddled up with all the gargon.

I did email Kardia and they told me since I was in persistent Afib the Kardia would basically tell me what I only know. Also the phone I have athough it downloaded the app ok is not on their approved list so would/could give false readings. I would have to fork out for a new phone which at the moment is not worth as my one is ony about 1 year old.

I am sort of old school and unlike the younger generation not tied to my phone. I only carry it with me when I go out otherwise it is somewhere in the house. My grandaughter was really stressed out & panicking last week as she had lost her phone!! It was under her bed ,never seen anyone panic as much as that over a phone.

[cuore in reply to dindy]

The current definition of persistent is an episode lasting longer than 7 days. So, during the three weeks from when you were diagnosed, your episode never stopped. If you are going in and out of AF, with the episode duration lasting less than 7 days, the current terminology is paroxysmal which you have stated in your first sentence.

I am not quite clear on who made the diagnosis of persistent.

I would suggest that if you are persistent you get to an electrophyisologist as soon as possible if your intention is to return to sinus rhythm rather than live in AF. AF begets AF. The more AF you have, the more you will get.

Also, you might want to research the difference between rhythm control and rate control. And, consult with your doctor what path you are on.

I got to the persistent stage and my EP said that drugs will hardly solve the problem when I wanted to get back to sinus rhythm.

[GuyThoma]

The big picture.

In my 50s I was anti-pills and anti-gadgets like Kardia.

In my 70, I am happy to take beta-blockers, anti-coagulants and even Vit D supplement.

I now have a Kardia, an OmRon and a thermometer!

My point: if I had a Kardia in my 60s I may have seen signs of my A-fib earlier.