Kardia

[David21]

Kardia appears well received by Healthunlocked. I am 10 weeks after my 2nd ablation and have had 3 spells of extreme dizziness plus some light headed spells with a non exceptional heart rate but a pounding and heavy heart beat. My question is - will the Kardia show the pounding up somehow ? Many thanks

[CDreamer]

Hi David - the Kardia will show an ECG, either 6 lead if your device has the capability or a 1 lead. Built into the device there are algorithms which can detect certain arrhythmia and so the reading on your phone will say something like Normal Sinus Rhythm or Possible AF or Unclassified.

It will not give you a definitive diagnosis. For that you will need to send the trace to your Cardiologist or get a full 12 lead ECG at a clinic.

So yes it will pick up what’s going on rate & rhythm wise but it may not tell you what it is.

You should be due for your 12 week follow up so if you have a Kardia & are recording take those readings with you to the appointment.

Have you spoken to the clinic or GP about your symptoms? Take care

Hope that answers your question.

[David21 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for this CDreamer - I am hopefully going to have a call from my EP but can't rely on this happening. I am due to have a 72hour ECG in 3 weeks time prior to seeing him on Sept. 17th - I can't believe that my worsening almost daily arrhythmias are normal 10 weeks after my (2nd) ablation

[CDreamer in reply to David21]

I had a similar experience & had 2nd ablation 12 weeks after the 1st which sorted the arrhythmias for about 3 years. They did return but I was much less symptomatic & they were of shorter duration without the very high HR & BP bottoming out which caused syncope for me.

Hopefully the 3 week monitor will determine what’s going on for you & a treatment plan decided. It can be a long haul when ablation doesn’t work 1st time.

[David21 in reply to CDreamer]

Many thanks

[momist]

It really isn't a substitute for a proper ECG, but is great for observing rate and rhythm, and it will pick up odd events which you can learn to interpret for yourself. Your EP will likely glance at the trace and say something like "yes, that's AF", but even that can be useful to him. The Kardia website has links to a training course you can follow to learn a deeper understanding of the waveforms and how to interpret them.

The best thing about the Kardia is that you have it with you when the heart events happen, and which are rarely caught any other way.

[David21 in reply to momist]

Many thanks for this