Irregular hb v AF

[Morges]

Hi Forum.I am thinking about getting a Kardia but I want to know if it (the Kardia) distinguishes between irregular hb and AF. Does anyone on the forum know please?

[mjames1]

(Does) the Kardia distinguishes between irregular hb and AF.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat. So what you mean is does the Kardia distinguish between atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.

The short answer is "yes". So if the Kardia says "atrial fibrillation" or "possible atrial fibrillation", then there is a high probability that you are in afib and not having another arrhythmia.

However, if it is another arrhythmia, you will not know what it is called unless you pay for advanced determination service.

Here is the list of the AI advanced determinations:

Atrial Fibrillation

Bradycardia

Tachycardia

Normal Sinus Rhythm

Sinus Rhythm with Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)

Sinus Rhythm with Supraventricular Ectopy (SVE)

Sinus Rhythm with Wide QRS

If you don't pay for the advance determination service, you will still get the same quality EKG, which show all of the above arrythmia's to someone trained to read an EKG like your doctor.

Remember, all AI determinations are not 100% accurate, including the ones in your doctors office from the 12 lead.

But it's the EKG itself that is the most important, and that is the great value of the Kardia as it produces a medical grade EKG you can share with your doctor.

For the most diagnostic value I recommend the Kardia 6L, which gives you the option to take a six lead, as well as a single lead EKG.

Some here are going to tell you that they are getting inaccurate readings from the Kardia. What they really mean is they are getting inaccurate determinations/interpretations, which again can be expected from any EKG. Again the actual readings of the Kardia are extremely accurate and accepted by the medical community.

So please do not let that misleading argument dissuade you from getting a Kardia or other similar device like the Apple Watch.

Jim

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to mjames1]

I have ordered the six lead Kardia following advice from my GP and people in this forum. I have an appointment with a cardiologist so I'm thinking that I can show him the results.I'm not bothered about interpreting them myself, I don't want to worry too much and I think I might go down that road if I'm not careful. I'm not an expert so could potentially get it wrong.

You always seem to give sound sensible advice Jim.

I have found this forum a real help.

[mjames1 in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Don't get me wrong, the Kardia's automatic determinations are highly accurate, just not perfect. But at least initially, showing them to an ep or cardiologist is a good idea.

That's what I did in the beginning. But after awhile, I became pretty good at reading the Kardia and now don't need to show an ekg (or even look at Kardia's determinations) to know if I'm in afib, normal rhythm, aflutter, etc.

I think you will find the 6L very helpful. And remember, you don't have to take a six lead reading with the 6L. You can also take simple single lead readings (fingers only). The six lead reading is a nice option when you want to use it.

Jim

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim.

[Morges in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim and thanks for sharing your knowledge. I'm a bit lost with the different rhythms. Will the Kardia distinguish between my LBBB which causes irregular heartbeat (to do with the left ventricle as I understand it), and AF?

[mjames1 in reply to Morges]

Will the Kardia distinguish between my LBBB which causes irregular heartbeat, and AF?

Kardia's analysis (called "determinations") will not tell you that you have LBBB, because it's not on the list I posted previously. However, if you have LBBB, then it should be apparent on the EKG and you can show the EKG to your doctor. So yes, it will distinguish the two, but you will need a trained doctor to analyze Kardia's ekg's.

Jim

[Buzby62 in reply to Morges]

Hi, as Jim says, AF is just one type of irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

Here is a link to an information sheet

api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

And to see all the patient resources

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Hope these help, best wishes.

[bean_counter27 in reply to mjames1]

Just to clarify, you don't need to pay for advanced determination if you are only trying to identify whether in AF. If detected on the ECG recorded by your KardiaMobile., the Kardia app (on a connected device, usually your phone) will report Possible Atrial Fibrillation. It won't identify other types of arrythmia, but if any other arrythmia is detected it will report as Unclassified. However tachycardia and bradycardia can also report as Unclassified. If no abnormalities are detected in ECG it will report Normal Sinus Rhythm. I don't pay for advanced determination as only want to know if in AF (and associated HR) or NSR.

[mjames1 in reply to bean_counter27]

Bean Counter: Just to clarify, you don't need to pay for advanced determination if you are only trying to identify whether in AF

Correct. And on rereading my intial response, I can see the confusion. I will make an edit. Thanks for pointing it out.

Jim

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello

You can view the AliveCor Kardia Mobile demo video by following the link: youtu.be/fsGAQUjDbS4(Not working as expected?)

You may also wish to download the 'Understanding ECG Monitors' booklet from the resources page on AF Association website: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

booklet

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to TracyAdmin]

Thanks for this Tracy. It could be useful when my Kardia arrives.

[Jalia]

In a word ...yes. I'm on my second single lead Kardia. I wore our the first one. If I was buying now I would go for the 6.lead. Great device. Have never regretted my purchase. Its given me peace of mind.