Fibricheck

[Cat04]

I had a telephone call from the hospital arrhythmia nurse yesterday who wanted to arrange for me to download the Fibricheck app to send in readings 3 times a day for a week prior to a telephone appointment with the cardiologist. Anyone else been asked to used this app to do this instead of a 5 day holter monitor.

[Physalis]

nhsaccelerator.com/portfoli...

[Cat04 in reply to Physalis]

That's it. You take three reading a day of 60secs each,for one week. I was just wondering if anyone else has been asked to use it for their NHS monitoring. I would have thought that recording those times (having sat to rest first the instructions say) it would be unlikely to cacth any random events.

[Physalis in reply to Cat04]

Well, I guess it's a start. I suppose if it was me, I would do that and also do it more often and keep the results separately. Do you get any symptoms? Why are you being monitored? If you do have symptoms then you could record at those times too.

It's using the hr picked up by the phone presumably to produce something like an ECG

fibricheck.com/how-fibriche...

At about £4 a month I suppose it is a cheap option.

[Cat04 in reply to Physalis]

I'm 2½ years post ablation so just my 2yr check up (a bit late and we all know why) I've have no AF since that I know only ventricular ectopics but they are of no concern. I don't have to pay, it picks up your heart beat by placing your index finger on the camera.

[Physalis in reply to Cat04]

No, you only have to pay if you buy the app yourself. I wonder what they're trying to pick up!!

[Cat04 in reply to Physalis]

This is the instructions I received-its just my two year follow up to my ablation

Important points regarding how to use the Fibricheck App:

) it is important that you measure your heart rhythm at a fixed time 3 times a day (for

example before breakfast, before lunch, and before going to sleep)

) if you have any physical complaints, use the app additional times to capture your

heart rhvthm

) Make sure to rest (sit calmly) for a few minutes before starting the registration

Follow the instructions on the screen

The recording takes 60 seconds and a counter on the screen indicates the time

remaining. During this time, it is important to keep your finger on the camera of the

phone or tablet

) After registration you will be asked to answer a few short questions about any

complaints and whether you have made the registration at rest or after physical

effort

) Once you have answered these questions, the data will be sent automatically, and

you can close the app

Because the clinician cannot see you physically and cannot record an ECG, he / she relies on

your cooperation. Therefore, try to measure your heart rhythm at least 3 times a day during

the days prior to your consultation, but also specifically in case of complaints.

If you have the opportunity to measure your blood pressure yourself, it is desirable to make

one or more registrations every day so this data can also be discussed during the telephone

consult.

[Physalis in reply to Cat04]

Actually it does say use the app at other times if you feel any symptoms. Let us know how it goes.

[Barny12]

Yes, I used it via my arrhythmia nurse a couple of weeks ago. It's really easy to use and seemed to work well. You can record as often as you like, but at least 3 times per day; sitting, standing, out exercising (you have to pause to take a recording), etc, having symptoms or not. You can note what you are doing/how you're feeling as you're doing the recording.

It tells you whether or not you're HR is regular/AF or tachy/brady. Not sure what the NHS see on the recording, but my nurse could tell I'd had ectopics.

[LizLancashire]

I was instructed to do it by arrhythmia nurse for 7 days after having afib episodes more frequently. I had none during those 7 days but found it comforting that they would be caught on record if I did. Since then I've decided to pay for it myself for a while.

[Jajarunner]

Amazing! Better than waiting weeks for a Hotter monitor and far less intrusive. Had to wear a 48 hour one during the two 100oF days last year, couldn't shower, yeuck!

[Nerja2012 in reply to Jajarunner]

Is it just me that doesnt have all the extra care that your all getting eg arithmia nurse etc. Im very pleased that you all do but since I was diagnosed 5 years ago I havent seen a soul . Just given meds. YES my AF thankfully is very mild in comparison to some. Maybe 1 every 10 months and no comorbidities but AF is AF. I think after all the posts I have recieved from this which has been amazing its about time I ruffled some feathers. WATCH THIS SPACE 😤

[Cat04 in reply to Jajarunner]

I dont find them difficult to wear & just slip the little box into a pocket or clip on a belt and the ones I have had are removable for a shower fortunately.

[Cara95]

I am not in the UK and have not been asked to use the app by my cardiologist, but I have been using it for several months now. There are two options for use - on one you pay very little and the app runs your information through its algorithm and you get results that read ‘possible atrial fibrillation ’, ‘possible irregular’ or ‘regular’. For a fee you can request a review of the results.

But then there is an option where you pay a bit more and someone reviews the information and the you get feedback such as for instance ‘Atrial fibrillation’ , ‘Frequent ectopic beats’, Bigeminy’ or ‘Isolated ectopic beats’. There is also general information on the condition diagnosed.

I have found the app quite accurate in the sense that when I have symptoms I am in fibrillation, but even without symptoms the heart is often irregular or in fibrillation.I am quite pleased to hear that the NHS regards it as useful. I am not entirely sure what to make of the three graphs that come with every reading but can identify some problems such as bigeminy from the second graph. You will have to download the app to understand what I am referring to.

There is a one day free use of the app, so go ahead and take multiple reading on one day to see what you think of it.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Cara95]

Thank you Cara. I've got a lot to read through. Some good advice.

[Visigoth in reply to Cara95]

I’ve done exactly the same and found it very useful. When I had a 14 day monitor the FibriCheck results matched, for the times I used it, so it’s pretty reliable. Prior to having the monitor, I emailed the FibriCheck reports to my cardiologist. As you said, when you’ve done it a while you know yourself from the second graph what the review is going to say.

[Cat04]

I started this thread to ask whether anyone had used this as there annual arrhythmia check as requested by their NHS consultant. I can't see that when quite often a 5 day holter misses PAF that a 60 second reading after resting and at a fixed time x 3, each day will pick it up. The replies have gone beyond my tech ability, graphs, readouts etc.

I have opted for the usual 5 day continuous holter instead.