Problems with my Kardia6L

[Trigeminyblue]

Hi everyone, have recently been having problems with battery running out of power in my Kardia. Only use it a couple of times a year in the last 18 months but had to change the battery in it each time that I tried to use it, June, October and December this year. Kardia only 4years old now, surely should last a bit longer with such little use. Having no luck with AliveCor support who have just sent me a link to list of suitable devices that it will work with. Has been working well with my iPad and mobile phone since I got it, until this June. Can’t understand why the device that I connect with to take ECG’s should affect the battery life in my Kardia! Any one on here have a similar problem or can offer a solution.

Thanks very much for reading my post, hope that someone can help me with this. 🤔

[mjames1]

My 6L batteries seem to run for a couple of years although I don't do that many ekg's with it.

First, I would try and go with their recommended battery brand, or choose a name brand battery, over some of the discounted ones featured on Amazon. Some of the cheap batteries, really don't last for me.

If that doesn't work, ask for a supervisor and tell them you tried everything and want to exchange it for a new device.

At least in the US, they are very good about exchanges and even out of warranty, they replaced my 6L for I think $15, after I had some issues that could not be resolved.

Jim

[Aegean56 in reply to mjames1]

I have had a Kardia device for 12 years ...battery changed twice

[fairgo45 in reply to Aegean56]

I've had same kardia device for same if not longer and never had a battery change I use it lots as well

[Vonnegut]

Re the Kardia, I think the manufacturers might like to make sure you buy more- I’m on the second one and only use it very rarely now since 100 mg of Flecainide daily has virtually ended my episodes but I did let an old acquaintance have a go with mine recently and it found he had something weird which he was going to take up with his doc!

[mjames1 in reply to Vonnegut]

I don't think they market or sell batteries, so no profit for them if it runs out. Overall they last a decent time if you buy a good battery.

Jim

[Vonnegut in reply to Vonnegut]

I was told by them that I had used my first Kardia so much that I had to purchase another one which we did. Only had replaced the battery once and don’t think I’ve needed to since the dose of Flecainide I’m on now has mostly ended my AF episodes. I just use it occasionally to have a record of how well I’m doing! I note from ads on telly that they are now sold in Boots where I guess they might be a more reasonable price!

[davephx]

I just spend hours trying to figure out why my KardiaMobile Card disconnects when down to 4-6 seconds left and the battery shows full then?. Found that the battery is not replaceable but Kardia will replace it for $30.

Then dug out my older 6L and had a similar problem. So, after much research, this is the replacement for the 6L I got from Amazon with 2-day delivery (US) for about $7 for 4 of them. The 2 pack - about $5 wouldn't come for a week so got 4 pack: Panasonic CR2016, Can not seem to buy just 1.

I did have from years ago a CR2016 which is used for CMOS battery to boot up but on the 6L would disconnect early also. Supposed to have a shelf life of 8 yrs but it may have been older.

But then I somehow lost one of the tiny itty bitty Phillips 00 screws and can't find a replacement on Amazon or Home Depot - just M sized vs P for Phillips 00. And usually in packages of 100-500. I just need one tiny screw. Will call nearby Home Depot. I do have a 00 screwdriver but not screws!

[Oggy99]

Faulty device or rubbish batteries. Especially the latter, you can get landed with some rubbish. Have you tried to test them?

[Trigeminyblue in reply to Oggy99]

Hi Oggy, how can I test the CR2016 flat ‘coin’ battery please?

[Palpman in reply to Trigeminyblue]

I bought a cheap voltage tester. It should read above 3v at around 3.3v.

At 3.0v it would be considered flat.

[Oggy99 in reply to Trigeminyblue]

If you don't have a tester and your device is still under warranty try that route first, especially given the other post that says they had a faulty device that behaved like yours. If you do want a tester have look on Amazon but make sure it can test cell batteries.

[Trigeminyblue in reply to Oggy99]

Thanks Oggy, have ordered a battery tester for coin batteries today so hopefully will be able to check them all out. Have kept all the batteries used since June in the Kardia. Should be able to get to the bottom of all this now hopefully!

[Ppiman]

My first one did this and had to be replaced under warranty. If yours is outside of the guarantee, before buying again, do have a look at the new AI devices from Well. I switched to those on several recommendations from people here and, well - I've been most impressed.

Steve

[bee2]

I have just bought a Kardia 6L and although I can get it linked with my bluetooth the app cant find it. I wonder if I've been sent one with a dodgy battery. What happens when the battery is running out?

[Trigeminyblue in reply to bee2]

Hi Bee, I’m not very good with computers and connectivity to the various devices that people use to link up their Kardias to. I do know that you have to make sure that your phone/tablet etc is on Kardia’s recommended list to use or it won’t work very well. If you have bought a new one then I would think that the battery was okay and maybe you should make sure that the app that you are using is the correct one for the Kardia. When I downloaded the Kardia app and installed it then I had to fill in a profile and could see the ‘front page’ and could select to do an ECG recording. Having done that, then I could view the recording in History and make any notes I wished to. My problem apparently was that I was not using an approved device! (I tried an ; iPad, my mobile phone, husband’s mobile and his Samsung tablet), none of which were on the approved list I discovered. My Kardia had worked fine with them all for 3 years until there was some sort of update which affected the batteries I have no idea how! Sorry if my explanation is a bit woolly but as I said, not very good with‘ technology’

I have now bought a Wellue ECG device which is working fine at the moment!

Chris

[bee2]

Thank you for your advice. I specifically bought a Lenovo M8 tablet to use with it as I wanted a bigger screen, that was on the list of approved devices. Like you I am hopeless with technology and live alone so nobody to ask at the moment 🥴

[Trigeminyblue in reply to bee2]

Hahaha, we’re both in a bit of a pickle, I can’t get rid of the Kardia app now I no longer need it. I do know that you can message AliveCor who produce the Kardia device and they are very helpful and should be able to help you out. I too like a big screen to view my ECG’s on in preference to the small screen on my phone. You can access AliveCor, who are the sellers, by looking at your orders and clicking on the particular order when you bought your device, I’m assuming that you bought it through Amazon like me or maybe direct through AliveCor? They were very helpful to me, good customer service and support! Do you have a local library that you can access at all, they often can help with ‘technology’ things and sort out tablets and phones if you need a bit of help.

Best wishes, Chris

[bee2 in reply to Trigeminyblue]

I bought mine from BHF.. I have emailed AliveCor and they sent a list of things to try which I did and got nowhere, so emailed again but no reply yet. I just noticed TrigeminyBlue is Trigeminy an Arrhythmia as my ECG's show Bigeminy?

[Trigeminyblue in reply to bee2]

Hi, yes, Trigeminy is also an arrhythmia, I started out having 8-10 hour long episodes of trigeminy, always at night, waking me from sleep and then after a few years of this I started with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation just for a change. Also at night and lasting up to10 hours or so. Just got to mix things up to keep me on my toes haha

[bee2 in reply to Trigeminyblue]

Do you get treatment for it?

[Trigeminyblue in reply to bee2]

Not anymore, Cardiologist wasn't worried about it at the time as I always reverted to sinus rythmm in the morning once I started to get moving and went for a walk with 2 dogs. Apart from heart jumping about and giving me a start I got used to it and didn't have any other unpleasant symptons, only happened a couple of times a year to start with, usually after a heavy meal, late in the evening (vagal ). Once it had changed to Paroxsysmal Atrial Fibrilation, then I was put on Bisoprolol and Apixaban. Only have occasional, short episodes of Trigeminy (couple of minutes) in among the atrial fibrilation when I get that. Have been having an Afibb holiday for the last 11 months so happy heart at the moment.🤞

[Trigeminyblue in reply to bee2]

Have you tried taking Kardia app off your tablet and then putting it back on again?

You should get a lot more replys about your problems with linking to the Kardia app if you start a new thread/post, (more people will see your question/post and about the problem you are having) I think that perhaps no one else sees this conversation to help you (and I am not much good) as you are just in my post and so no one is looking at it anymore, haha. Best of luck, am happy to chat to you but quite at a loss and useless with apps and Tech devices, my poor old brain struggles with any new piece of equipment that we get! still haven't got to grip with my new Airfryer! 😅

[bee2 in reply to Trigeminyblue]

Yes I tried that, Kardia have just replied and asked what phone I am using, I'm using a tablet that was on their list as compatible. It's not good for my stress levels trying to get it working lol aa I want to throw it out the window 😉

[bee2]

I have got it working at last 👏 I needed to turn on location 😉

[Trigeminyblue in reply to bee2]

Well done you! I would never have thought of that. Hurrah! Now don’t go frightening yourself with all the stuff it will probably say you have, it all sounds so much worse than it is usually. Chris

[bee2 in reply to Trigeminyblue]

It just says Bradycardia which I know anyway. My cardiologist will be able to see if anything is going on hopefully 😉

[Trigeminyblue in reply to bee2]

😊👍