I am trying to get to grips on why the Kardia device exists. What purpose does it serve? I would assume if you have purchased a Kardia, then you are a diagnosed AF sufferer so why would you need to constantly check for The condition, knowing that it’s unpredictable and pops up when it wants to. Even if it detects AF, do you rush to A & E every time, I think not. It’s almost like putting a “see through” plaster on a cut on your arm. You know it’s there but you want to see it for yourself. I’m sure that constantly checking a Kardia would make my anxiety worse, not better. Just my opinion, I’m sure Kardia users will have a different view.
Kardiamobile: I am trying to get to... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Kardiamobile
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Cb999
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Hi, I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), which is intermittent. Although, I think I have enough self awareness to detect it, the Kardiamobile is an additional control, which I can use to confirm that I’m having an episode. My PAF is very stable under medication and I haven’t had an episode for years now but I do have a PiP plan too. If I do have an episode, I can take additional medication to help move me back into NSR before I have to present A&E. To be fair, I have always spontaneously reverted to NSR in the past within a few hours but the PiP hopefully speeds up the process. The Kardiamobile gives me an additional level of confidence that I am not plying myself with extra Flecainide for no valid reason.
There are also occasions where I feel a little different and wonder what’s going on. I use the Kardia then as a check to see if it is PAF. Example I do have the odd run of ectopics - PVCs.
Self management is key for me and the Kardia is integral to that. I have always found the determinations to be very accurate.
BobD - makes a valid point and I agree. Devices can be addictive and a source of anxiety, so it’s important to use them well.
In my case, my introduction to Afib was a heart attack (NSTEMI II), the theory being that undiagnosed and untreated Afib caused a small, transient clot that went into my heart. Although I now feel I am vey well aware of any episodes, there clearly was a time that I was totally oblivious to them too. The Kardia has been a really useful diagnostic tool, allowing me to understand and figure out the cycles of my condition and manage it.
I totally agree, I use mine in similar fashion. I do not hand my body over to medical science, I wish to take responsibility for my own health, I rarely take readings these days but do also have an Apple Watch, for me it’s to confirm I’m in A Fib and to see how long. I don’t always feel it.
BobDVolunteer
Actually I almost totally agree with you. When I first met Dr Dave at an AF Association meeting at Parliament all those years ago , on being shown his early device I commented that they should keep them as far away as possible from patients or the country would be full of gibbering wrecks.
I was given one for testing purposes and yes, found I became obsessive and it produced great anxiety. I used to joke that I only started to feel better when the battery went flat! I never needed a machine to tell me when I was in AF as I was so symptomatic.
BUT!!! They do have great benefit for those people who are still trying to get a diagnosis of their condition. Most EPs and many GPs now understand Kardia traces and accept them for diagnostic purposes so they do have benefit. In fact, my MK1 long having dissapeared into the missing things drawer, I bought my wife a new six lead one for Christmas as last year she had a few funny turns and a three day holter showed nothing. I think she has used it twice each time NSR but if something odd does occur then she will have proof..
So the point is. yes if you like me can easily become OCD about gizmos then avoid like the plague but if you are more logical and only use one for diagnostic purposes then they can be highly beneficial. In the same vien I have never understood the need for smart watches and other monitoring gizmos unless you are an athlete trying to improve performance. KISS as they say.( Keep it simple stupid.)
My smart watch gives me glucose levels so saved finger injections twice a day.
Which one is this? I have steered clear as I thought they were still too unreliable but would be great if one worked as I get fed up with finger pricks
Well said Bob. My friend (I am sure has paroxysmal afib) does not think she has, but......her heart rate shot up to well over 100bpm for several hours and when I felt her pulse it was 'all over the place'. She has just had a holter monitor on for 2 weeks but said she hasn't felt anything. I told her that a kardia would be good as she could use it when she felt 'an episode'. I can't get her to understand that she 'could' have afib but it's never there when she has it checked. Ironically, she tells me the cardiologist told her 'she doesn't think she has afib' but still instructed a holter monitor for 2 weeks.
If you really have OCD like I do, you spell it 'CDO', the way it should be! ;^)
I have had a Kardia for 10 years and at the beginning it helped to show my cardiologist and EP what was going on with my heart. My PAF managed to hide from all medical attempts to catch it, except for a 24-hour Holter. I learned to recognise the difference between the various heart gymnastics and mostly used my Kardia occasionally to verify my suspicions.
But - when my husband felt unwell recently, the old Kardia showed 'possible AF' and enabled us to seek medical advice. Incidentally, although both of my cardiologists accepted the Kardia readings 10 years ago - my husband's GP recently wasn't so keen and barely looked at the printouts.
I suppose my attitude is 'all things in moderation' in the use of what is a most helpful device, correctly used.
A lot of GPs can’t read ecgs
I think you're right Peony as my cardiologist once told me that ECG's are hard to read but I was surprised as it was the Kardia consultant reports that he was given with Atrial Fibrillation in large letters on the front page.
Your right, nurses in my surgery can’t and there’s only 1 who’s can use the ecg machine!!
Lets consider the scenario that you have been diagnosed paroxysmal AF but also asymptomatic. How do you provide your GP with evidence that your beloved paroxysmal AF is active ? I throw this same question open to all the device/gizmo naysayers too. Bear in mind you (in today's post CoVid crappy NHS) you are unlikely to be awarded a face to face appointment with your GP anyway !
Exactly, just because you have no symptoms doesn't mean that diagnosed aFib isn't occurring and still requires ongoing treatment to reduce the chance of other problems in the future.
"Let's consider the scenario that you have been diagnosed with paroxysmal AF but also asymptomatic ". How would you have been diagnosed that? If you'd been diagnosed as such you wouldn't need any evidence for your GP. (Incidentally in my area, if you're unwell, it's easy to get a GP appointment).A Kardia is a good piece of equipment for a medic to check whether you have AF, and that should be its only use. Continual use of a Kardia or "smart watch" serves no useful purpose.
For monitoring my ailments I go on how I feel, taking medication as prescribed.
Well sir, all I can say if you live in that sort of area where you can get an easy GP appointment good luck to you. That is not the case in many poorer regions in Britain.
How would I have been diagnosed etc etc ... well how do you think ?? By a Cardiac Consultant of course - in a hospital cardiac unit where I was 'held prisoner' for 6 days .... all part of the thorough testing process in the good old days in 2010.
Now just to widen your knowledge of the real world ... I have held a PCV licence for some 30 years. Since I have retired I have elected to spend some of my time driving college bus services and an occasional full 11 hour shift driving regular bus services. These days, to do this, DVLA require that I pass an annual medical conducted by a regular qualified medical who can be my GP or a company doctor. I elect the company doctor because the GP apart from being useless is not available for face to face consultations .... including medicals !
Holding a PCV licence and driving a 12 ton double decker around insanely narrow roads also gives me skills I doubt you have and also legal responsibilities for fully declaring my health, whether asked for by DVLA or not. Thus I offer samples of the worst of my Kardia readings even though they state I am in NSR and I also offer copies of samples of my blood sugar readings. It's called covering your ass ! I also offer recent samples of my BP readings which obviously include HR.
I wonder if you could pass a car driving test at your age, much less a bus ?
The onus on deciding whether or not you are able to drive PSVs should fall on a medical professional, not on you using a Kardia. Permanent asymptomatic AF never affected my driving.
Well done in remaining a PCV driver. You were Carneury, I suspect. Could I pass a car driving test at my age? Age should be no barrier. I've driven for 50 years, but couldn't pass a test, as, though I had a clean licence, no warnings, no points, no convictions, no parking fines, I am physically unable to drive, due to nerve damage to my right leg, which affects my right foot. I've given up my car and licence and now either use buses, or Shank's pony. If I needed to claim attendance allowance, I could claim PIP, and then be eligible for Motorbility. I live alone with my 2 cats, and am fortunate to be able to look after myself and them.
Being diagnosed isn’t the end of your AF ‘journey’. There may be many occasions where it’s useful to show a cardiologist/EP what’s been going on - how many, how fast, how long etc. My Kardia showed pauses over 3 secs which immediately got me the offer of a pacemaker or ablation. I had the ablation but the pacemaker is still on the back burner. But I agree with you if you have permanent AF, then there doesn’t seem to be much point unless your cardiologist wants reports on your HR.
1. For those with paroxysal ( intermittent) afib , devices like Kardia provide documentation to a doctor that you actually have a fib and not another arrhythmia mimicking afib. Prior to these devices people were often sent home from the emergency room with the diagnosis of a "panic attack".
2. Helps distinguish a fib from other arrhythmias, such as atrial flutter, so that you receive proper medical treatment from your doctor. Remember, arrhythmias can change overtime so just because you were diagnosed with a fib at one point does it mean it did not develop into another arrhythmia
3. Gives you peace of mind at home to help distinguish benign events, such as runs of ectopic beats from atrial fibrillation.
4. The most accurate way to measure your heart rate during an a fib episode so that you do not take too much or too little weight control medication to get your heart rate to a safe level.
5. If you're taking an anti-arrhythmic drug such as flecainide, it can act as an early warning system with the "wide qrs" determination. Based on this reading, my electrophysiologist lowered my dose of flecainide to a safe level.
6. Overall puts you more in control of your condition by giving you more information so you can participate more completely and more intelligently in your own treatment.
Jim
All valid points but I feel blessed to have gone through 7 years of AF without The need of a Kardia.
Clearly you had your views before asking the question, which begs the question why you're asking it? I don't see much value in explaining it's usefulness from my perspective as you clearly have no interest in getting one.
Because I value other peoples views, apparently unlike you.
I don't have any problem whatsoever if someone doesn't want a Kardia. I understand it's not for everyone. We're all different. YMMV. However, given I have one I wouldn't be asking people their views on getting one. Why would I waste their time,? I'd rather they provide assistance and advice to other members who will use it.
💯 this👍👌.
No need for your sarcasm !!!! To the question
Sorry but what part is sarcasm?
None of it was sarcastic, tempting though it probably was to be so. 😊
👍👏
I would agree that constant testing , especially daily with a watch which can be inaccurate, is too much and can cause people health anxiety.The reason a Kardia is useful is that you can get a more accurate idea that the symptoms you are experiencing are aFib or not which helps you to chose what steps to take next , or if you may need to take your PIP.
Not everyone with aFib has aFib alone. Some of us can have mixed cardiac issues, such as Tachycardia, Bradycardia or Blood Pressure problems , and even severe diabetes or kidney problems and neurological conditions that can cause cardiac symptoms similar to those felt during aFib but require different treatment or self care options when they happen.
The Kardia helps these people, including myself, to know which issue is occurring and take the appropriate action.
8 times out of 10 I will be suffering a different type of arrhythmia or my Tachycardia Syndrome is flaring up rather than me suffering aFib but the symptoms feel about the same.
It also helps me to give my Cardiologist a quantitative piece of evidence of what happened and when at my follow up assessments, which they find really helpful in making new decisions on my treatment.
Even if your main concern is aFib you can also suffer the occasional arrhythmia which feels like aFib but is not aFib. The Kardia can help you to know this , if you keep getting symptoms but no aFib it means that it can advise your choice to go to see a GP and get examined for the cause of the issue , and also not take PIP medication unnecessarily.
The Kardia isn't infallible but it is more reliable than the guidance if the Smartwatch with SL-ECG.
Self management using a Kardia , as long as a person does not over test, can actually make the difference between going to a hospital too often or unnecessarily, and taking the right medication or steps at the right moment, reducing the chances of taking unnecessary PIPs and shortening the duration and recovery time of various cardiac events when managing them at home.
I was diagnosed with SVT via a Kardia. For a very long time the hospital could never catch a reading because I would be out of it by the time I arrived at the hospital so far me this device really helped.Now I use it just to get an idea if my rate when I'm in SVT but I certainly don't sit there all day watching what my heart is doing.
I don’t have afib but that’s the point of my cardiologist giving me a Kardia device, I’ve always had heart health anxiety as I had high blood pressure and a high resting heart rate as a child that I have now grown out of but I received my Kardia to help with me getting a possible diagnosis if there was any… I am lucky to not have afib but that is the only reason I have a Kardia or have ever used a Kardia.. was to catch a possible diagnosis. I am blessed to have a healthy heart but Kardia definitely can give you a scared by how unpredictable it is. Gives tons of messy readings at times
I was also another early tester and have had a kardia ever since. The one I have now is a 6L. I appreciate for some people it can become addictive but I only ever use mine if my heart feels odd to see if it’s Afib, tachy or bradycardia. I use it to record Afib attacks so I have reference of HR, length of time etc if and when I need it for my EP.
I used it for two reasons. 1). I could send a six lead ecg to my doctor. 2). When I had ectopics, with the advance determination it would tell me which kind it was. PAC, PVC, SVE. It was helpful to me to know the difference between them. It was mostly for my tracking. I haven’t used it in a year because I had a Wolf MiniMaze and haven’t needed it.
Agree!
where to begin? You obviously think it is ridiculous but I don’t. Firstly, it records episodes so I can show my EP and team. Secondly, it confirms I am in AF (which is rare) when a run of increased heart beat is confusing, a d then I can take a PIP. Thirdly, it is tiny, and only comes out if I need it. Fourthly, my EP team recommended it and trust it.
The first time I had AF it was very symptomatic. After several hours I rang 911 the NHS advice line and they asked me how fast it was but I couldn’t count it so they told me to try a BP monitor but that repeatedly said error. They were dismissive but told me to go to hospital and there I found it was AF and my heart rate was 180. The Kardia can tell me the rate . I have twoKardia because I upgraded to the 6L and pay for advanced diagnostics because I have been given flec as a pip and I haven’t taken it yet, but when I do I want to be able to check for side effects. I don’t use it unless I am symptomatic , a bit like my house and car insurance , but it’s there as part of my plan of what to do if my heart acts up so it reduces my anxiety . We are all different but if I needed medical help I want to be able to say it’s this and email an ecg , or alternatively put my own mind at rest if it’s just ectopics etc . I am a person who needs to know, if you aren’t that’s fine too
Because you may want to limit or pace activities that increase your heart rate to unacceptable limits and thereby reduce the possibility of heart failure. You may discover certain foods/drinks that increase resting rates. AF is not just on or off, it's a wide range from mild to severe. Having said that, the Kardia isn't accurate enough to give the correct rates in AF. Its algorithm averages too much. Mine was as much as 30% out for AF
Hi Cb999
I’ve recently written a post and mentioned my virtually continuous use of Kardia and had quite rightly got told to put it in a drawer!
It was definitely adding to the anxiety but there are times I want ti check whether I am in AF or having a bad run of ectopics. I do appreciate what you say though, that even it it is AF, what am I going to do with that information. I’m not going to A&E, which for me is an hours drive anyway and I’m not currently on any medication which would revert me to NSR.
That said, I had a cardiologist appointment on Friday and he was more than happy to look at some of the tracings during my visit so it does have its uses. He was happy to point out that I was having multiple ectopics etc. I have put the Kardia away but he agreed that some use of the device is good should the need to visit A&E arise by which time an episode may have gone.
As a result of me showing him several tracings which had quite a few continuous ectopics, he decide to prescribe bisoprolol as a pip should I need it.
Stay well
Nick
Bisoprolol just reduces the heart rate but does nothing for the irregularity! You need Flecainide to do that!
Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers sometimes can help with ectopics, on an "as needed" basis.
Jim
Please see Jim’s reply
Hi Vonnegut,
After your reply and although the cardiologist said what Jim had and that it was as a PIP, I thought I’d look at a few websites on Bisprolol use. I must admit, I wasn’t fully aware its main use is to reduce heart rate and he was prescribing it for my ectopics which some days have been excessive. He wasn’t prescribing it for my PAF necessarily.
My concern now I’ve read a few articles, is that as I have bradycardia should I take it even as a PIP when I have lots of ectopics.
Think I need to speak to him again before I use them….
Thanks
Nick
I had to stop taking the lowest dose of Bisoprolol 1.25mg after three days as it brought my heart rate down too low! That’s how I came to know what it does!
Thanks. I’ll definitely have a conversation before I take any.
But remember we are all different so an appropriate dose might be helpful.
It would be fine if you knew the dose of Bisoprolol you are given is appropriate for you to take as a PIP for the ectopics you occasionally experience. The odd ones I’ve had never lasted long.
Told 2.5mg but only as a PIP and that is IF I feel that the ectopics are excessive. Some days I have virtually none and on a bad day, literally 10000 spread over several hours.
Cardiologist said they are not going to kill me and he wasn’t worried even at that high number but to help reduce them he prescribed Bisprolol to be taken if I wanted to.
I’ve looked online at Flecainade and it seems that could also help.
Sorry, hit reply before I finished.
Was going to add that I don’t have a high heart rate even with the ectopics or the rare AF. Doesn’t go much over 100 which it does anyway walking up mountains
Very confusing.
Gosh! Climbing up mountains! I remember visiting Keswick when camping in the Lake District over 50 years ago, well before my heart started misbehaving and our son went on some school holiday which involved trekking thereabouts.
Thanks for raising this topic which is pertinent to me.
My back story is that I know I have Left Branch Bundle Block diagnosed by ECG 3 years ago. I have permanent irregular heartbeat but not medicated and I can pick it up by feeling the radial pulse.
2 weeks ago pre op ECG showed A/F. I have no symptoms at all and can't pick it up by feeling the radial pulse and heart rate swings between 60 and 80 with Omron just showing irregular pulse as usual. B/P is ok.
So I was looking at the Kardia but wasn't sure if it will differentiate between the LBBB and A/F but the comments from others seem to confirm that yes it will.
Also with 6 lead Kardia I might have difficulty getting the ankle connection - it looks a bit like that kids game! Maybe the 2 lead is easier.
So for someone like me I think a Kardia device would be useful - a bit like having a B/P monitor, a useful tool.
You don't have to use the ankle you can also use the knee if the ankle is too hard for you to reach.
You'll be happier with a six lead, even if you only use the single lead (fingers only) function. Better connectivity and sturdier. Also, as mentioned, you can use the knee for a six lead reading. You did not have to use your ankle.
Jim
Morges Whether a two lead Kardia will work for you is problematic. The older design used high frequency sound to communicate with the smart phone/tablet you use it with, and many modern phones/tablets filter out these signals as "noise cancelling". I have an old Motorola phone I use with a cheap SIM which I keep just to keep my old Kardia useful. I get it out only when needed.
The newer 6 lead uses Bluetooth to communicate and should work with nearly every Android or iOS device. It can also be used in two lead mode, if necessary. I haven't bothered getting one myself, as I'm happy with the system I'm using, so far.
I no longer use a Kardia, preferring a Wellue AI device, but I used to use mine whenever I had stronger than usual palpitations, which is increasingly the case, to see whether they were AF or simply ectopic beats. I find both feel similar. I use my Apple Watch now, and then use the Wellue if AF shows up.
You are right that there is little point of using any device if all you have is PAF and know what it is that is happening to your heart. There is little point in simply confirming what you know. Also, a finger on the wrist would likely easily pick up the racing and irregularity of AF. Some people are fascinated by gadgets and (overly?) health conscious (which is your truly ☺️).
Steve
Hi Steve, have you found the watch will say AF when actually it’s ectopics ?
I had an episode 6 days post ablation but when I look back there are definitely some p waves in the traces. Another episode has come on overnight after doing a bit more than I have for some time (decorating) yesterday.
I have found that, when my heart is in one of its fragile phases (that’s the way of it with me - it waxes and wanes), decorating, especially reaching high and bending low, can bring on ectopic beats and mild racing. The ectopics, I gather, have the potential to set off AF.
I’ve never had my Apple watch yet make an error to my knowledge but my Kardia, before I changed it for the Wellue, did, twice.
What I think happens in some people (i.e. yours truly) is that the AF flips in and out quickly, mixed in with ectopic beats and NSR. Looking at my own traces, I can see P waves at times.
It’s the “irregular” irregularity, I suspect, that you should be guided by which is different in AF from ectopic irregularity. In ectopics, there’s an initial slightly early (“premature”) beat followed by a gap (the “compensatory” pause); this, can look irregular if there are several of them, as I get. It’s this, I have read, that can fool the Kardia on occasion.
To add to the confusion, runs of ectopic beats can form (which are called atrial tachycardia, I think). Only a highly trained specialist can fully interpret an ECG, I would say.
If you post a PDF of a large enough section of your Kardia ECG graph, using a screen shot app, say, I could take a look. I’ll post one of mine from Wellue, too, when I’m on my laptop.
Steve
Thanks Steve, I think as you say it could be a mix of AF, Ectopics and some NSR. No 2 traces are the same really. I get some poor readings when I’m first aware something may be up, that’s the nerves I think. This is one of my most readable traces from earlier today. It was the frequent urinating overnight that raised suspicion not how I felt. I don’t wear the watch overnight. I don’t have a Kardia.
Trace
It was very useful for me as first it showed an AF episode which I could send to the lovely EP (who didn’t think I had AF at first), who sent a prescription for Flecainide to my surgery for me to take as a PIP at first when the Kardia would be extremely useful in tracking episodes and determining the odd occasion when the heart rate was still so fast after taking the Flecainide that I was to add a Bisoprolol. Episodes never lasted much more than a few hours and the Kardia was great at tracking them (and fun to show to friends too!) As episodes increased I was advised to take Flecainde regularly so that it is now over a year since I had an episode and only occasionally check how well my heart is doing with the Kardia or show it off to friends when it has discovered an occasional odd thing they have taken up with their doctors.
As with most things there are pros and cons. I have PAF. I see a cardiologist EP privately (sadly the NHS in my area does not have the capacity to provide the service we A Fibbers need). At my appointments I show him my Kardia reports. To quote him as he pored over them ‘I love these things’ ie Kardias. They show him exactly what’s happening in my heart. Having said that, he has also told me to put it away in a drawer and not carry it around with me. So it’s our call. Personally I like the reassurance it gives me - that it is diagnosing any arrhythmias so that my EP cans give me informed advice .
Ive toyed with the idea of getting a kardia , but, then i know when im in af , the only reason i would get one now would be to see if it is actually af im having and the the drs misdiagnosed me, but thats probably hoping for too much , lol.
ps my Consultant cardiologist thinks they’re great, bought one for his father in law! A GP at my surgery thought they were great too, got me to do a reading while he filmed it!
My story of using Kardia 6 lead-I purchased it when I was in AF and it diagnosed it, so I knew it worked. I then used it until that AF episode stopped. I then used it regularly for the first year to provide a picture for my heart consultant. I believed the covid vaccination, and subsequent catching of covid, caused my heart problems. This helped me demonstrate the link. But more important the heart consultant when to a conference in America where they were seeing 10% of covid sufferers had AF. It also has helped provide information to adjust my medication. I am on a bear minimum now and still no AF.
This does not justify it, however I am glad I bought 1 as it has helped the relationship between me, the heart consultant, and my medication.
I personally haven't got a Kardia as I'm very symptomatic when I have AF and my smart watch and BP machine detect it anyway. Just because I don't, I'm not dismissive of those who do.
But as virtually everyone else has said, they are very useful in a variety of situations and if someone gets comfort/answers from using one or any other device, that's what it's meant for.
Well my heart surgeon/ EP find a kardia very useful too & ask for readings. On the nhs they have to book you in for a holster.....that can takes weeks before your given one. So my specialist love it that I can send them a reading. I have 6L.
Post op great for the proffessionals.
From my point of view I used it post op because I'd think it was Afib but it wasn't! So it was reassuring.
These days I use it far less but if I feel something not right I'll use it. Very quick & easy.
It can count a fast heart much more easily & accurately than I can.
I have evidence at the point it occurred if I need medical help. More believable and easier to explain than my verbal language.
I haven't joined the plan for kardia to analyse them.
I think it depends on your individual circumstances. Like everything in life, one size does not fit all. 😊
I have an EMay ecg portable monitor. . It costs less than a kardia, but takes a tracing of your heart, which you can put onto your phone. I showed some of the tracings to the Doctor on Friday, when I went for my follow-up for my ablation, as I’d been getting missed beats quite often and they didn’t do an ECG while I was there. He looked at them and said they were ok and nothing to worry about, so it did put my mind at rest.
Ecg
I bought a Kardia initially for one reason - As PAF is intermittent inevitably it never showed up when I went for tests - took readings and booked a private appt - consultant took my phone and looked at the readings and that got me on a waiting list for an ablation as PAF and Flutter present on readings. We’re all different but it doesn’t up my anxiety but lets me know when and what my HR is which has been useful whilst waiting for ablation and even more useful after I had it done as had a 2-week period where my HR was up to 170 for 5 days and also down to 38 at a point - when 38 I knew I had to get it up so went on the running machine (fast walk for 30 mins) and up to 80. After ablation I could not always feel that my HR was 170 whereas before I always knew - For me it’s brilliant and has helped massively and that’s my honest opinion
"I am trying to get to grips on why the Kardia device exists."
Uh, it's a tool/device that my cardiology MD's, PA's welcome seeing it's results whenever I go to see them.
It gives me accurate and immediate information I can use to help determine the extent of my activities (not go overboard).
It confirms my fitbit bpm when I have doubts of seeing my bpm in the 130's - 140's so can dial it down a notch, etc., etc.
"It’s almost like putting a “see through” plaster on a cut on your arm. You know it’s there but you want to see it for yourself."
Bad analogy! Your preconceived notions of that tool and people are off the mark.
An interesting thread, enlightening, pros and cons of a kardia well explored from personal experience. I think I might be more likely to use one at some time in the future.Thanks for posting.
I'm one of those individuals who have a Kardia M but I only use it when I experience more pronounced ectopic beats or when I feel very lightheaded. That gives me some information that I'll be alright - that it's just more of my palpitations & I'll be fine. Although the device reports only Afibs I can see that there is normal rhythm with PVCs entering between beats. That to me is reassuring that I'm ok and that maybe something has triggered those ectopics and I can just do my "mindfulness" relaxation. I have gone through a number of tests including an angiogram, an echocardiogram and an ecg treadmill test which showed 3 coronary partial plaque buildups and the 'misfirings' & I have a leaky mitral valve, but not enough for stents. Bottom line for me is - the Kardia or my smart watch shows me when my HR is good & that calms me, but I don't check that very often at all. When used appropriately I can see value in these mobile devices.
I have not used a Kardia, but I do use my Apple Watch to provide data points for my GP and Cardiologist. They very much appreciate it. It tells them frequency, intensity and duration on a timeline.
This is exactly why I haven't purchased one. My anxiety is bad enough without this.
I recently bought a Kardia Mobile and I really like it. My cardiologist suggested it and showed me in office how to use it. I thought it was a really good idea and it didn't cost much. He wanted me to use it primarily to record my Heart Rate. I have paroxysmal AF and have had it for many, many years, probably 20 but only diagnosed in 2015. I currently have episodes every 2 to 5 days and they last on average 32 hours. I am very aware of when it starts and know that I have it. It comes with other weird symptoms and is a part of what I call my "sickness". Anyhow, I have seen some interesting things on the tracing at times. I will be interested what the Cardiologist says about them when I next see him. I also took a tracing one time when I knew that I wasn't in AF because my heartbeat felt really strange and I can't explain it better than that. No, I am not going to overuse it and worry or fixate on anything. Given how long I have had AF and how frequent and long my episodes last I think it's prudent to have bought the device. It does give me good information
In addition to diagnosis of paroxysmal AF as others have noted, once on medication, the Kardia has been useful for checking QT interval.I live on a small island, and getting to healthcare is time-consuming and inconvenient.
My Kardia has been crucial in providing data to my doctor without me needing to travel to the clinic all the time.
Particularly when new meds are trued, tracking QT interval is vital, and my Kardia could do that.
Cb999, I don't know if you are aware, but your posts carry an air of criticism and disdain, as if people with a Kardia are obsessed with their condition and are reinforcing their own fears using it.
That really is not true in most cases, and it is unfair to assume.
AF is scary, and sufferers do find it upsetting, especially at the start.
The difficulties with paroxysmal AF diagnosis and tracking initially, and frequently doctors not believing patients, can add more worry and stress.
The Kardia clears all that up, and for a very modest amount of money.
I would recommend it to others.
I spent several years going to heart docs only to be told my heart was in great condition....I had to wear various monitors and do the treadmill tests, but I still was sure I could feel something going on. My husband saw an ad for Kardia and thought I should order it. I told him it looked like a gimmick to me, but he thought it would be worthwhile..so I relented and ordered one. Within a week I had that same feeling and tried the Kardia - Afib! My GP said I was lucky that I was able to capture it. I feel it was one of the best purchases of my life. As I understand it, the risk of stroke is much higher with Afib. I only use the Kardia now when I know I'm in Afib. If my heart rate goes up to 180, head to the hospital. Hoping for one of the PFA ablation once they've been around a little longer.
I get what you’re saying here. I bought one and I check every couple of days.
Since I started using one nearly a year ago it has always reported possible AF. I understand it never reports definite AF.
It’s a bit of a novelty for visitors who are quite keen to get an ECG on the hoof.
None of these visitors or family have reported possible AF
Has it all been of any real benefit? My consultant thought it was good that I was able to give him half a dozen ECG graph prints. I can hear many people saying “so what”.
On balance I don’t regret buying one. Being asymptomatic I wouldn’t know I was in persistent AF and may not get treatment that might help.
Yes there is a danger that it’s use could become obsessive, but used judiciously it is an indispensable tool. I have had various erratic heart beats over many years and the greatest step forward is being able to measure them when they occur and take a print out to discuss with your cardiologist. The latest example is from eighteen months ago I had odd beats that I didn’t understand. The cardiologist diagnosed them as Bundled Branch blocks , he modified my medication and bingo, that fixed. Perfect NSR since.
Why check my SR with a Kardia Mobile device? Because if I am feeling tired and the device confirms that I am in NSR that will come as a relief. If, God forbid, it shows that I am in AFIB I will immediately pop a Flecainide pill and hope that I come out of it…
I returned mine exactly for that reason!
I already know when I am in AFIB!
If you have to check to see, it really isn’t bothering you that much!
I have found my Kardia invaluable ..
..for starters if I had known about them 7 years ago when I first had AF I would not have had to wait 6 months for a diagnosis, that was by an ECG capturing AF.
Once diagnosed and as my P-AF episode where unmistakable due to being symptomatic, I used my Kardia to keep track of my heart rate to make sure it was not going to high . I never went to A&E during an episode ,the nearest is 40 minutes away and even pre COVID to be seen would entail up to 15 hours on a trolley not great when you need to pee with frequency and in those days my episodes were short so I would revert back and be going home again before being seen .
The Kardia was my insurance so if the HR was showing as too high for too long I would have gone to A &E.
Fast forward a few years and my P-AF had progressed , Kardia readings were requested by the arrhythmia clinic showing the frequency of my episodes and heart rate and this helped me to get treatment and onto the ablation list.
After my ablation I am now in NSR with the help of some Flecainide , some days I feel breathless and wonder if AF is back, my Kardia reassures me it is just ectopic and I need to start slow breathing excercise which often helps.
I am in permanent AF, after years of PAF. My resting pulse is over 90, even on betablockers. BUT: due to changes in other meds and my body health (thyroid removed etc), with some dosages, my pulse drops to 64 to 80. And I could swear that the permanent AF has stopped then for hours. But I would love to be certain. Doctor is no use, until I am there and have an appointment and am lying there, AF will have recommenced. Unfortunately my mobile does not work with the kardia and the Fitbit watch I ordered did not work correctly, so am still without the device. It would be important to know, as the dosage which (might) be stopping the AF is one on which I do not feel good. So knowing at least it is helping my heart would help me being more patient? Plus I have to decide whether to get a third ablation or not, so if there is any way I could stop the AF without that I have to know.
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Conflicting Information 
Kardia mobile Possible AF ecg 
Thought it was ectopics 
