Fibricheck or Kardia?

[Kennyb1968]

I currently use Fibricheck but notice everyone else using Kardia. Is it better?

[CDreamer]

Different - fibricheck measures heart rate, which may or not pick up arrhythmias but a Kardia takes an ECG trace and will give you a diagnosis - it’s not infallible but I like mine.

[mjames1]

Not familiar with Fibricheck.

I have both Kardia and Apple Watch. Both generate a decent single-lead ecg tracing that the device might interpret, you may interpret, or you can email to your doctor for interpretation.

Kardia will identify more arrhythmia's than the Apple Watch and at least in the US allows you to send the ecg for a fee to a cardiologist within the app for analysis. Think they are now giving one free ecg interpretation per quarter.

One arrhythmia identified by the Kardia is "Wide QRS". Can be useful, especially if on Flecainide. This is one of their advanced determinations you pay a monthly fee for but I believe that fee is included in the purchase price for the first year.

The advantage of the Apple Watch is that it's very handy, always on your wrist. Also integrates into Apple's Health app where you can set up some alarms that work pretty well within their limitations. I also like the "workout" mode where you see your HR in real time. No ecg here, but if your HR jumps unexpectedly, time to take an ecg which you can do in seconds. It has replaced my Polar Chest Strap for monitoring heart rate during workouts. Find it just as accurate and more convenient.

If you're going to get a Kardia, I'd suggest the Kardia 6L (six lead). Costs a little more but about the same size and I find gives a more stable reading. Also, generates a six-lead ecg which sometimes can be helpful.

Jim

[pottypete1]

Don’t know Fibricheck but my Kardia is brilliant enabling me to send ECG trace to by EP if need be. It was recommended by my EP.

Pete

[Ppiman]

I saw the Fibricheck ad for their app, and I did wonder how it could separate frequent ectopic beats from AF since both create an irregular pulse. The Kardia device measure electrical activity and looks for - I think - the missing P wave from the atrium to determine if AF is occurring.

The most accurate for me, overall, has been my Apple Watch since even the Kardia has misinterpreted ectopic beats on two occasions. I like the Kardia though as it looks for some other arrhythmias and wide QRS.

Steve

[Kennyb1968 in reply to Ppiman]

Cheers Steve - yes I think it has alerted me to AFib incorrectly on at least 3 occasions

[Ppiman in reply to Kennyb1968]

I like my Kardia, to be honest. It offers a bit of comfort in this strange world of arrhythmias. Last night I was having multiple "bumps" that the Kardia showed up as some kind of "normal" so today I'll be sending the ECG to my doctor for comment. Life eh?

Steve

[iris1205]

My two cents...

I have Kardia, Apple Watch and Fibricheck... was curious what each would clarify.

Hands down, Kardia.Apple Watch is useless if you have AF RVR (fast heart rate)!

[LaceyLady]

I have had my Kardia 1 lead for a couple of years, it’s good. My Consultant thinks it’s great and bought one for his FiL and told me the 1 lead was sufficient.

[Palpman]

The Kardia 1 lead is sufficient to check for basic arrhythmias. Checking for axis deviations such as LAD can only be done with the 6 lead. Reviews done on a 6 lead is a waste of time and money though. Seems it is automated with only lead one read.

[Visigoth]

I found FibriCheck good for distinguishing AF, ectopic beats etc. It was never wrong in my case, as far as I’m aware. I use an Apple Watch now for the combination of all its features.