Does Anybody Know Why this Happens?

[Transparency21]

Good morning. I have just taken my ECG with Kardia 6 and got this strange pattern part way through. It happens from time to time, sometimes there will be more than one. Does anyone know what is causing it?

[BobD Volunteer]

Interference I guess. Poor contact. Stay well away from other electrical devices and make sure your fingers are clean and moist.

[Transparency21 in reply to BobD]

Thank you

[Bawdy in reply to Transparency21]

I haven't got any of these devices and really I don't think they would keep me calm! Just a lot of angst for me but we are all different. If your body is doing OK try not to read too much into things, take it easy and try to stay calm.

[Transparency21 in reply to Bawdy]

Yes we are all different, I don’t really get too anxious about things and the Fitbit is used as a pedometer to record my daily steps. I had a hip replacement a few weeks ago so increasing my steps to get back to what I was pre op level.

[Desanthony]

I get things like this if I sit near to my desk top speaker it also makes a weird sound on my phone too so although I keep my Kardia in the drawers near my desk and pc I now move into the other room to use the Kardia

[Transparency21 in reply to Desanthony]

Thank you for your reply. I feel relieved as I thought I was getting rogue heartbeats. I never thought about interference being the problem

[HiloHairy in reply to Transparency21]

Is the new high-end Kardia more sensitive to outside interference then the original simpler one?

[Transparency21 in reply to HiloHairy]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I agree with the others that it looks like interference. Try taking an ECG in a differnt area, perhaps with the 50 H filter on.

[Transparency21 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply, I might seem a bit dim but what is the 50H filter is it something on the Kardia?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It's under ECG settings. The Mains Filter removes any power line interference from the ECG signal. 50 is the UK setting. It has an automatic setting , but it's worth setting at 50 directly.

[Transparency21 in reply to Hidden]

I will try that thank you

[Hidden in reply to Transparency21]

If you are in the US, you should set it to 60.

[Singwell]

Looks like what we call an 'artefact' in analysis of acoustics, meaning its a random bump due to interference or poor contact, and has no significance. I get these sometimes. Just sit still and take it again. If you're doing the 6 lead reading it's more tricky sometimes to do the right position. That's why usually I don't bother - the two lead tells me what I need to know.

[Transparency21 in reply to Singwell]

I am learning a lot today! I will need to be more aware of these things on the occasions that I take a reading. Thank you for your response.

[Griffin9]

It could be that you moved your fingers/thumbs on the contacts. I try to stay as still as possible, but sometimes twitch which disrupts the reading in a similar way. I've never had any interference with my device.

[Transparency21 in reply to Griffin9]

Thank you. Lots of things to try from these replies. I very much appreciate all your advice and suggestions.

[Ppiman]

I see you have a Kardia 6L. This is far less affected by interference, but does require a good level of contact during the trace. Normally mine is fine but in winter when the air is dry my fingers can be very dry to the point of slipperiness on the contacts. Then I moisten them a slight amount, rub dry, then all works well.

It's a very clever device and very useful, don't you think?

Steve

[Transparency21 in reply to Ppiman]

I think it’s a great device. I don’t use it so often since I had my CV but it’s an amazing bit of kit. When I first saw my EP he was quite happy to use my Kardia results for the original diagnosis and he is a top guy so must be accurate.

[Palpman]

Do not wear a fit bit or other similar watch or an earpiece when using the Kardia.

It does not work at all well with a pacemaker.

Switch on Enhanced as it will try to bring the baseline into a smoother and straight line.

[Transparency21 in reply to Palpman]

This may solve the issue as I do indeed wear a Fitbit. It never occurred to me that it would affect the reading. Thank you.

[Ppiman in reply to Transparency21]

My Apple Watch has no effect on the Kardia. All of these devices are passive when recording (except for Bluetooth radio). I think that the original Kardia is different as it uses sound waves to transmit its data.

Steve

[Transparency21 in reply to Ppiman]

I thought it might be my Fitbit as palpman suggested but thinking about it I do tend to wear my Fitbit most of the time to record steps and have taken other ECGs without issues. The good thing is that it does look like it is some interference and not rogue heartbeats so good to know that. Thank you for responding.

[frazeej]

Interference. I have a Kardia 1 lead, and when playing around I can get tracings similar to that by moving my arms all around during the test. Bizarre tracings also from talking loudly during the test. Stay calm and quiet, with the Kardia sensor VERY close to the phone that has the app, and I think your tracings will make better sense!

[Transparency21 in reply to frazeej]

Thank you

[C66t]

Try checking in a different room away from wifi and other electrical devices. and never while phone is charging. Those "squiggles" are artifact due to interference or movement. Best of luck.

[Transparency21 in reply to C66t]

Thank you I will definitely take you suggestions on board

[Transparency21]

Thank you for your response to my post and thank you for all the other responses it certainly sounds as if it definitely is some kind of interference and not a rogue heartbeat.