Kardia readings and Low Battery

[Snookersteve]

Hi everyone, I check for AF with my Kardia around twice a day. For the last few days I have been (unusually) getting the messages "unreadable reading due to interference" and a few readings of "Possible AF".

I was getting a little concerned, however, I changed the battery for a new one even though I have had the Kardia for only 6 months. As soon as I put in the new battery the readings were back to "normal sinus rhythm" consistently. So if you start to get unusual/unexpected readings it may be worth trying a new battery.

[Desanthony]

That's amazing because my Kardia is less than a year old and only use it once a week as in permanent AF. It shows the battery as being fully charged on the iphone screen. It started giving me "Possible AF" readings about 2 months ago. The first thing we looked at was the battery and as I said it was showing as fully charged. Ah well will try that and see if it makes a difference.

[Polski in reply to Desanthony]

If you are in permanent AF then surrely 'Possible AF' is the reading you would expect to get. The Kardia is not quite 100% accurate, so it always says 'possible', just in case!

[Desanthony in reply to Polski]

Not necessarily because it also sometimes gives a reading of AF so don't know what happens on the times it says possible AF.

[Spinners in reply to Desanthony]

I am in permanent AF and it always shows Possible AF. Don't use my Kardia very often, only when there is a change in the way I feel, or I am expecting to see or talk to a health expert. Doctor once said, the more I measure everything, the more anxious I get... She was right. Remember, AF itself with coagulation won't kill you. Treatment is to ease the symptoms.

[Desanthony in reply to Spinners]

Yes that is the question mine has showed AF and possible AF so no one seems to understand the occasional possible AF readings - not even the cardiac nurses.

[Spinners in reply to Desanthony]

Mine has never shown AF, just possible AF. It recommends a doctor looks at it to decide. I definitely have permanent AF and I think it is just a safeguard in case the Kardia makes a wrong diagnosis. They won't commit in case someone sues. My Withings watch is the same, and my BP monitor just shows a little symbol for an irregular heartbeat. Think 'probable' instead of 'possible' or ignore the 'possible altogether. It's when it says AF that is the puzzle.

[Desanthony in reply to Spinners]

Oh OK maybe it's different models mine is fairly new bought earlier this year and only used about once a week or less. Someone did suggest that theirs changed when they renewed the battery - next time I use mine which is normally on Sunday morning I will try that because when I first went back into AF it gave a definite reading of AF not possible AF.

[Paulbounce]

Worth noting Steve and thanks for sharing.

Paul

[Hidden]

Hi Steve, your post reminds me of something I sent way back in 2014 soon after I was first diagnosed with AF. It referred to me taking my blood pressure a couple of times on a daily basis and one of the volunteers (not BobD) suggested that I should get my wife to lock the monitor in the garden shed and hide the key! It was probably one of the best tips I received on this forum.

Generally, but not always, most folk with AF become aware of any changes in their heart and a quick feel of the pulse will identify any anomalies which can then be checked with a Kardia or similar monitor. Of course, it’s entirely up to you but unless you have been asked to by your Doctor, I would suggest you consider not using your Kardia so frequently as it can easily become obsessive and actually increase anxiety and irregularities.

Just a thought…….but that said, the information is helpful.

[Snookersteve in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack, I can see where you are coming from as regards getting obsessed. But I am trying to ascertain whether I am in Sinus or whether I occasionally go into AF. When I was in AF my heart rate wasn't very high and I was rubbish at trying to take my own pulse, so the only way I can be sure I am in Sinus is by using the Kardia. Once I am sure that I am in Sinus continually for a long period of time I am hoping to convince my EP to try taking me off Flecainide to see how I get on without it. Also if I did go into AF at any time my EP advised me to take an extra dose of 100mg flecainide as soon as possible to try to convert me back into Sinus without a cardioversion.

We are all different but I prefer to know what is going on so I can actively manage the situation eg by following the advice in the book "The Afib Cure"by John D. Day.

Best Wishes, Steve

[Hidden in reply to Snookersteve]

Understand totally, hope you get your situation resolved ASAP …

[Palpman]

It is difficult to believe that the Kardia continues to operate below set working voltage.

It is a simple microprocessor that with a keyboard or laptop can be set to give an alarm at a low voltage or to switch off. It is not a torch.

Even most blood pressure monitors do that as does my little e-cigarette.

I would write to kardia and get clarity on this as it can be a nuisance.

[Sfhmgusa]

I have had this happen too I change the battery but that requires a watchmakers delicate touch and a steelworkers strength so the back of my Kardia is nor rather taped up

[Snookersteve in reply to Sfhmgusa]

Hi, I had problems changing my Kardia battery until I watched this video. If you follow the instructions, especially the last 30 seconds, then it's actually quite straightforward!

alivecor.zendesk.com/hc/en-...

Steve

[Sfhmgusa in reply to Snookersteve]

That is so helpful! Damm ! I think I may get a shiny new one rather than a tape wrapped “ mummy” version

[golfcity]

'Morning Steve, just scanned the responses. You said the Kardia reported interference. I assume that you've changed your 'test' location to eliminate said interference as well as changing the battery. I've found that too near computers or other electronics often upsets the Kardia. This is all covered in the user guide. I test well clear of any electronics. I support Flapjack's comments about overuse and myself can feel if there's something that's worth recording on the Kardia otherwise 'onwards and upwards' as they say!

[momist]

Hmm. Perhaps twice a day is a bit excessive? The simple two contact Kardia uses high frequency sound to communicate with the phone/tablet, so when you are using it it will take a lot more out of the battery than when just in standby. My first battery lasted nearly two years, and the second one has now gone much longer than that, and it's still working. But then, I only use it when I'm feeling 'off' and want to check it's not the dreaded AF kicking off again. The during a session, however long it lasts, I might take a reading every 6 hours or so.

[Singwell]

Mine's been doing that. Battery replacement on my list. I think the battery calibration is like some petrol tanks - shows 2/3 full then leaps to reserve. Now we've gone EV here though...