As you know I had an ablation on Wednesday and am having (expected) an Afib episode. I contacted the EP as he has taken me off all meds to ask what to do. He said jauntily " send me a reading" . I asked how and he said: "with your Kardia device."
So can I ask for your help. I have a Smart Phone not an I Phone. How does it all work - I am a techi dinosaur. Please keep it simple 😉. I dont want to change my phone so if Kardia isn't compatible I'll settle for whatever can send a reading to my EP with my phone.
Thanks!
Xx
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Lilypocket
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Here is a list of Kardia compatible smart phones. If your phone isn't on the list, you could purchase the cheapest one, used, not register it on cellular, but just use it on wifi to take the eckg and then email it to your doctor.
Can't go wrong and they have pretty good technical support or you could ask questions here. And if it doesn't work out they have a 30 day return policy at least in the US.
I had this experience but decided to buy Kardia 6L anyway. Set it all up, loaded the app on my phone and hey presto .... sorted. Hasn't missed a beat I keep copies on my phone and email them to one of my email accounts and store on laptop.
My phone isn't listed either .... I have a Motoorola Moto G100. I would think if your Samsung is reasonably modern it should work. I think I got my phone around early to mid 2021 - so not that old.
Hi John, Thanks for your reply. My phone is indeed recent - replacing my previous phone that took an unplanned dip in the sink 😄I have ordered the Kardia and will come back to you if I need advice.
No worries..... but I am sure it will be fine. It is more likely be the App thats the issue, not the device. But TBH it recognises other Samsungs ( like mine has other Moto stable mates on the list) so don't see an issue. Good luck.
I have one of these due to be delivered tomorrow. I have an iPhone so it’s likely a bit easier, but I think if you start by going to the ‘App store’ on your phone and searching for Kardia then it should bring up an app?I’ve just downloaded it - but will wait to do all the logging on until I get the device.
If I get stuck with any aspect of it, I tend to find that an online search often brings up useful answers.
(I’m probably tempting fate here, and will be asking people in a day or so! I’m being changed to a ‘pill in the pocket’ medication (2 really) - so thought this would be handy to confirm AFib. I’m not totally asymptomatic, but it’s all more vague than palpitations/breathlessness/chest pain. I have an Apple Watch, without ECG, but it doesn’t confirm AFib until at least four ‘readings’.)
Good luck with the set-up. I found it easy, and it really guides you through. I’ve been able to put it on both my iPhone and iPad. If you have a tablet, it could also work on that.I was pleased to get ‘Normal Sinus Rhythm’ for my first try. Phew!
Thanks😊Having had an RF ( PVI and Box Isolation)ablation a couple of days ago I think it would interesting to see what is happening during the recovery period. Today my HR dropped to about 45 then went up to 74. But stayed regular. A bout of Afib yesterday and generally ectopics here and there. A real rollercoaster ! But so far only 2 hours of Afib. The Kardia should arrive next Tuesday
Great news for you! I’m glad the ablation went well. I’m on a waiting list and just a little terrified 😂 My HR goes all over the place at times - I think some of it is ectopics. So it’s reassuring to see it’s ok. I’m finding that standing up really slowly helps - as that’s when my HR shoots up.
If you can take a reading you can send it . Click on history then you will see your particular ECG. Top right hand corner 3 dots. Click on that . You could download as PDF or send directly by email
The is NO need to change your phone! The more up to date 6 lead Kardia Mobile should work well with any Android phone running Android software. (The Samsung will run Android 11, upgradeable to 12). It uses Bluetooth to communicate with the phone, and the phone can run the Kardia App which is in the Google Play Store.
The older (and cheaper) two lead Kardia had terrible problems with high end phones, as it used a different communication method that some phones would filter out. The newer one solves that.
The list of 'approved' phones on the Kardia website only shows which brands/models they have actually tested, and they have little motivation to keep up with new models.
I have an elderly smart phone and Kardia works fine on it. You buy the device,load the app and it's very straightforward. You place the Kardia ( small flat object)onto the phone and follow the prompts. Xx
Ah thanks. I was always " finger on the pulse" kinda girl but the Dr wants me to send readings if and when I have Afib. I never wanted a Kardia as I didnt want to keep checking my heart. Howz it going apart from that? Xx
Lilypocket, I can offer recent experience of buying and using a Kardia 6L ... beginning late May this year.
Like others here, my phone, an Android based Moto G6 Plus, is not on the approved list, but the hardware appears to work as intended.
The problem I quickly encountered though is that AliveCor (AliveCor Support) will refuse to engage with customers using phones not on their "approved" list.
Even when I asked about a software issue related to the Kardia App I had downloaded from the Google PlayStore, I was told AliveCor Support (support@alivecor.com) would not help me because of company policy(sic!). And if you look at the Developer contact email address given in the Kardia App, it's the same email address a customer uses for asking questions about the hardware. So you will get no help with hardware questions and no help either with software questions. And if you read the reviews of others online, I am not alone in being frustrated in this way.
Now my Kardia 6L device seems to work OK, as I said, and I have discovered a way around the software problem I had, so I continue to use it. But some help would surely have been reasonable to expect after paying a basic £149 + postage for this device (much more if you want advanced determinations). A company that has such a miserable customer relations policy needs to be identified.
The situation re this policy is even more confusing because when I was examining the Kardia App in the Google PlayStore, the App recognised the phone I was using, a Moto G6 Plus, and informed me that it indeed was compatible. So despite my phone not being on the approved list, the same AliveCor company tells me via their App in the PlayStore that it is approved. So I went ahead and bought it. And I've ended up now with AliveCor rejecting my emails for Support. It's like the left hand of AliveCor is not talking to its right hand.
Or is it the head (money), not talking to the heart (ethical practices)?
Sorry if my experience is off-putting, but I'm really just trying to forewarn you about possible difficulties, which none of us need when trying to deal with AF health issues.
Hello Bob, It sounds even more complicated now. I thought I didn't need to sign up and could use it independantly to send readings to my Dr. I'm already from the ice age concerning IT which doesn't help
Yes, as I said, I still use mine, it works and sends ECGs to whoever you want, without subscribing for extra services. It's really very simple to use, at least the Kardia 6L which uses Bluetooth to communicate between your phone and the device. My phone is at least 3/4 years old, using Android 9, so you don't need to spend money on that. Delivery is quick too, I or 2 days depending on choice and cost. It's just a warning that if your phone is not on their approved/tested list, then you won't get support, and no exceptions, no matter how unwell you are.
AliveCor did offer a refund, but I haven't chosen that as I still find it useful because I'm still at the beginning stage of trying to catch my AF events on ECGs.
But it's easy to use, very intuitive. A friend or your local library would be able to explain how to download the Kardia App and get started.
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