heart rate & af monitoring apps

[sugaredalmonds]

Hi everyone,

Just wandering, does anyone on here use an app for heart rate & af on their iPhone?

If so would you say they are accurate ?

Thanks.

[sassy59]

Hi, l use Kardia and find it accurate. It’s only the single lead but I paid for an upgrade.

[sugaredalmonds in reply to sassy59]

Hi, thank you for your response, you would think after all these years I would know about these things, but I don't, anyway just looked up Kardia, I see I didn't ask my question properly as I was referring to those free apps where you put your finger on the camera at the back of the phone, but thanks again for taking the time to answer, its most appreciated.

[sassy59 in reply to sugaredalmonds]

I’ve not heard of the apps you’re referring too but maybe someone else has. Take care

[sugaredalmonds in reply to sassy59]

I went to search on the App Store & typed heart rate app, several came up, some free others with a fee or upgrade fee.

[Autumn_Leaves]

Both the Kardia and Apple Watch ECG app. I’d say both are accurate in identifying AF. Also ectopics are clearly seen in recordings even though the heart is in NSR.

[sugaredalmonds in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Thank you too for taking time to respond, most appreciated.

[Foxglo]

I have an Apple Watch which gives heart rate on my phone as well as be able to take an ecg easily allowing to send to EP. My Cardiologist told me the cording it takes are good for him to check what is happening. It works for me perfectly despite being an IT slow learner. As well as the medical benefit I find being able to get reassurance knowing it is there instead of waiting to get an rvg a huge emotional benefit.

[kkatz]

The Apps I use are Android but probably the same for IPhone.I have used fibricheck for a few years .It only measures for Atrial fibrillation & gives HR.It is A paid app but you can get a free trial.Only prob is I really don't understand it ..Just whether my AF is better or worse as I have it all the time.ok if you want to check if you are Paroxsysmal.There is a free one called HRV gives the same info but less easy to understand.I use a portable ECG device called emay very similar to kardia mobile .You can also send to your ep from your phone.It runs 1st or 2nd to Kardia on which is best .Easy enough to carry with you.

I find YouTube good to check these out.

Hope all this helps.

[sugaredalmonds in reply to kkatz]

thank you, you have been most helpful.

[Hilianna]

Hi I have fitbit watch which is pretty accurate as far as I can tell. It lags a bit behind the A Fib starting but otherwise no issues. I also use the apps on the phone for cross checking. There is one app in the Samsung health app and one with a red symbol on the front. Sometimes when the Afib is very active, shooting up and down a lot, they cannot register it and the screen goes dark or refuses to register any information. They kick back in again very quickly when the heart is less chaotic. I also have a blood pressure monitor, not used very often, but that too refuses to register any info if the heart is too active. All the devices correspond with each other and with the way I feel, so I think they must be pretty accurate. Hope this helps.

[sugaredalmonds in reply to Hilianna]

most helpful, thank you.

[Buffafly]

The apps you are referring to work in the same way as an oximeter or Fitbit style watch - they shine a light through your skin to show blood pulsing through your capillaries. They may work fairly well if your pulse is only slightly irregular and not too fast but do not work on fast, very irregular AF. They are also not accepted as evidence by medical people. A Kardia or an Apple Watch in AF detection mode will count the electrical impulses, some of which may be too weak or fast to produce a beat at all, and are therefore accurate.

The main question is how you feel. You may be recording 150 bpm but not all the beats are effective so you don’t feel too bad. That is why it is difficult to decide when you need medical help. Never mind the HR, if you feel faint, dizzy, breathless and/or have pain in your chest or throat area your heart is not keeping up so you need medical care.

I know you didn’t ask that but people so often do I thought I’d throw it in anyway 😀

[sugaredalmonds in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you very much, your response is very much appreciated.

[1234_misty]

I have the free app on my iPhone ( I also have the Kardia 6 lead ) The free app is called Real -time heart rate .. I’m not sure how accurate it is, it has AFibCheck & heart rate.. It gives me the same readings as Kardia .. I haven’t checked the app with my cardiologist,, which I think is best to do..

Colour

[sugaredalmonds in reply to 1234_misty]

Thank you, much appreciated.