Stethoscope to check heart rate

[dunestar]

When I'm in AF I can never tell what rate my heart is beating at. The one time I ended up in hospital it felt like my heart was beating very slowly but in fact I was in fast AF. I can't find my pulse easily at the best of times. I was wondering whether getting a stethoscope would help. Anyone had any experience of using a stethoscope and can recommend models etc?

[mjames1]

Maybe, but best would be a home ekg device like the Kardia6L or Apple Watch. These are designed to take ekg's and will give you a fairly accurate heart rate count.

Jim

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes. I use a stethoscope as recommended by Grandma who used to be a volunteer on this forum and was also a nurse in the U.S. It's made by MDF Instruments I bought it from Amazon, chose a mid priced one.

Jean

[KMRobbo]

I was typically 165bpm when in AF, but very random/ chaotic. I could not possibly count the beats.

[momist]

Get yourself a Kardia device. If you already have an Android or iOS phone or tablet, that is all you would need. They work excellently well, give you a reliable and medically recognised record of what your heart is doing and are easy to use.

One thing that is often missed when checking for AF, is the fact that when your heart is beating out of rhythm, not every beat of your heart will result in a pulse of blood pressure sufficient to generate a detectable pulse at the wrist. Some of the time, the beat comes too soon, and the heart chambers have not filled with blood correctly, so the pump action of the heart beat fails.

[bileyininjurytime]

It depends exactly what you want to measure and how much you want to spend. If it’s purely HR then a stethoscope looks a cost effective option, although finger-clip HR/oxygen monitors are also an option at c£10. Chest band HR monitors are thought to be more accurate and I’ve seen them as low as £15. ‘Fitbit-type’ wrist bands can be £25. If it’s important to know if the *rhythm* is unusual then Kardia EKG is very good, but you’re looking at £100. Good luck!

[baba in reply to bileyininjurytime]

A finger pulse oximeter will NOT give accurate heart rate when in AFib.

[Palpman in reply to bileyininjurytime]

Only electrical pulses show all heartbeats. Peripheral devices such as oximeters and BP devices do not.

[mountainwalk]

Kardia device.

[Vonnegut]

Get a smart phone and a Kardia and the app and it’s very simple to use!

[Buffafly]

Yesterday I was feeling quite ill (in persistent AF at the moment) yet my wrist pulse felt fairly slow. I hadn’t been using my Kardia because I have recently moved house but I found it and was shocked to discover my rate was varying up to 165 bpm though average 135 which is too high for me. I nearly went to A&E but was scared of being kept in - too much to do - and rate down this morning. So for reasons already explained the only way you will get an accurate count of electrical impulses is with a Kardia but if you only want to count effective beats an oximeter or fitbit type watch will do.

[Ppiman]

Have you thought about using a small home ECG device such as the Wellue of Kardia? They take an average measurement over 30 seconds or so. Using a stethoscope on yourself isn't always easy. A smart watch is another thought, but pricey. The Apple Watch is beyond compare in my experience, but so it should be, really.

Steve

[dunestar]

Thanks everyone. I think I might look into a Kardia after your comments.

[PleasantPink]

While a stethoscope is cost effective, unless you have regular practice to develop your skills it wouldn't be the best choice to use only when you are concerned. I use the Kardia monitor and the 1Lead is fine according to my cardiologist. Save your money , no need for the 6 Lead which they will try to sell you. Also no real need to sign up for their perks via a subscription. Just get the device & become familiar with the basics. Be sure to confirm your phone can use their app before purchase. You can save the strips to your phone & send them to your doctor

[whats]

It kind of depends on how high and irregular your pulse is in aFib. The faster over 100 and more irregular, the more beats will be missed by a stethoscope or other regular pulse meter. 1-lead Kardia is the most reliable for detecting afib. I use mine with a tablet, cause I'm rural with no cell service.