Problems using the Kardia 6L

I have just received the Kardia 6L I ordered from Amazon and have had problems with it. The device seems to connect to Bluetooth, but when I try to take an ECG it is very erratic, often , but not always, refusing to record.

Specifically, when I touch the two sensors on the upper side of the device with my fingers, the picture of these sensors on the phone screen turns green, indicating that contact has successfully been made. However, when I place the device on my knee, the lower sensor doesn’t turn its corresponding light green on the screen, or at least does so erratically.

The instructions say that the skin can be too dry to make successful contact and to moisten it if necessary. I don’t think my skin is obviously dry, but I have found that moistening it seems to improve things. It has been rather hit and miss regarding recordings. I wondered if anyone else who used the 6L has had this sort of problem. I am not sure whether the device is faulty or not.

[Hidden]

I know some have said the 6 lead version can be more sensitive and also needs the conditions to be more perfect than the single lead. Maybe sitting at a table might give better results.....hope you get it sorted.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks.

[GrannySmithgs5]

My 6L is very sensitive to electrical interference , tv , some lighting , microwave , the boiler , I think you get the idea . The only place I can use it is in my bedroom , possibly elsewhere upstairs away from all the usual electrical gizmos downstairs . Hope this helps .

[Donutz]

Yes, I had trouble at first then discovered I needed to moisten the skin if placing the device on the knee or ankle though my skin is not particularly dry. It does like you to be relaxed and not move. This can be difficult if holding the device on the ankle. I've only had the electrical interference message once at work - maybe it was the PCs.

[Hidden]

I find it difficult to get a clean recording from my 6L device. I can rest my arms on a table whilst taking single lead recordings, but using the lower contact on the knee makes it very difficult to relax the arms, and this results in 'muscle noise'.I eventually found that resting my arms on cushions, and moistening the contacts resulted in a good recording. Kardia do not give any advice on resting the arms when taking 6L recordings so it would seem that they are just ignoring the problem.

[MarkS]

Electrical interference is the main problem for me. I have to move out of my office to a quieter (electrically) spot. Otherwise the 6L works well for me.

[lindat15]

I've found it a bit harder to get a connection with the 6L sometimes. Works fine when I just get out of bed . At other times I find if I gently massage area around my knee or ankle it then connects easily. Does seem more sensitive to 'muscle noise' though as Mike2015 mentions. EP recommended 6L due to better info if in tachycardia.

[Hidden in reply to lindat15]

Thanks to you and everyone else who replied. Using a small amount of sanitiser seems to work.

[Hidden]

Thanks-this seems to work.

[baba in reply to Hidden]

DrDave01 is the expert

[ShishAnne]

I too am having this problem. Sometimes it only records for a couple of seconds. Very annoying when trying to capture a tracing.

[Sasha99]

I could not get a reading through my leg either.

[Jack_skies]

well, it seems to connect, I get no data in either one lead or six lead mode. That includes no data for heart rate, battery, level, or data on any of the leads. I have cleaned all the appropriate contacts and have also moved to an area where there should be minimal interference. But it just is not sending any data. Good or bad.

[tonysmithx in reply to Jack_skies]

Jack, make sure your phone has location turned on.

[Dryskintoo]

Same Problem. Wetting skin solved it just as you said. Thanks.

[smwdorset]

I’ve had the same experience and found that slight moistening the skin resolves the problem.