Kardia Mobile

[MountainGuide]

A recent ECG and scan found persistent AF with a dilated Aorta. I had an ablation 12 years ago. Is a Kardia Mobile worth buying to keep a regular check on my condition?

[BenHall1]

I wouldn't think so unless you have the training and skills to interpret the readings accurately ...given your medical history.

[MountainGuide in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks, but I could pass the results onto my GP or cardio nurse for assessment, if they were happy for me to do so.

[mjames1]

I don't know what you mean by "a regular check", but the Kardia produces medical grade ekg's and analyzes them with excellent accuracy. And if you get an unexpected reading, or just want to double check, the ekg's can easily be emailed to your doctor for confirmation. This not only can save time going to the doctor's office for an ekg, but the Kardia serves as an "event" monitor, to capture events when not at the doctor's office. For this reason many of us find the Kardia invaluable. Personally, I find it gives me more control over my condition and treatment and relieves the stress of not knowing what is going on. If you're going to get a Kardia, I suggest the 6L version, as it has the ability to do a six lead ekg, plus it has better connectivity.

Jim

[MountainGuide in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim, for your response.

Over the past few years I have had a recorder, surgically inserted in the left side of my chest. Unfortunately the battery has now died and my GP and cardiologist are not keen to replace it. To me it seems that having found PAF that is the end of the story for my consultants. Having some way of monitoring into the future is what I'd like. I can check my BP and pulse every day, which at the moment is all okay, although my pulse is a little irregular but never raised above 65 (ish) since last December. I will raise the subject of using Kardia again with the surgeon who will remove the inserted recorder later this month.

[Ppiman]

If you are in AF all the time, I suspect it's not worth checking as all you will show is the AF. My elderly friend, now 90 and having had persistent AF for very many years, is like this and he gets me to put my Apple Watch on him now and again just to test it out! He's lucky though as he has no symptoms much at all as his pulse stays fairly normal.

I now use a Wellue device as the Kardia was unhelpful unless I paid the extra monthly fee. I suspect, as I say, either would be fine for you, or an Apple Watch, but that you wouldn't learn a great deal of use.

Steve

[MountainGuide in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve for responding.

Over the past few years I have had a recorder, surgically inserted in the left side of my chest. Unfortunately the battery has now died and my GP and cardiologist are not keen to replace it. To me it seems that having found PAF that is the end of the story for my consultants. Having some way of monitoring into the future is what I'd like. I can check my BP and pulse every day, which at the moment is all okay, although my pulse is a little irregular but never raised above 65 (ish) since last December. I will raise the subject of using Kardia again with the surgeon who will remove the inserted recorder later this month.

[Ppiman in reply to MountainGuide]

I think my friend used to feel the same way but got used to it in the end and, well - he’s now 90!

The Wellue 24-hour device is what I find useful as it uses electrodes and so produces a good quality noise free ECG, can run from 5min to 24 hours, and gives a very full AI generated analysis for free.

I suspect you’d like that, too, but that you’ll only use it more and again to see what is “going on”.

The Apple Watch and Kardia give much narrower snapshots of heart activity which can easily miss events that happen more and again.

In terms of general usefulness and convenience, though, the Apple Watch scores the highest in my books.

Steve

[Thomas45]

You have persistent AF. If it's persistent, what are you to gain from daily / weekly ECGs ? You can check your pulse to find if it's still persistent. How do you feel in yourself? From what you've written a recent ECG found persistent AF. If you can't feel it, I don't see the point in having a Kardia.

Medical systems in the USA and the UK are different. Mjames1 says you could email the results to your medics. Maybe that's standard practice in the USA, but it's not in the UK. I cannot contact any medic by email. I can fill out online forms if I need an appointment. I can answer queries sent by text to me by medics, but not by texting back, but by being directed to online forms.

The NHS app gives you access to your medical records, but it's not intended for two-way conversations.

If your AF is without symptoms, then you can check your pulse by hand to see if it's still persistent. If it doesn't affect your daily living don't worry about it.

If it does cause you concerns talk them over with an appropriate medic.

[Buzby62 in reply to Thomas45]

I have emailed my Apple Watch ECGs in the UK to my GP which lead to my diagnosis and also more recently emailed them to my EP secretary and my arrhythmia nurses and they will be discussing these with me at a review next week.

I agree these devices will be less useful for persistent or permanent AF especially if asymptomatic, but some do get changes in the condition and their symptoms for episodes and traces may be helpful in adjusting their treatments.

Hope my opinion is helpful, best wishes.

[MountainGuide in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks Buzby62. Everyone's opinion is welcome. Even if the replies are not in line with my own thoughts, it's better than suffering in silence. Cheers.

[dixiedad]

I sure think so.

[Thomas45]

Having just read your biography you seem to be unaware that having AF makes you 5 times more likely to have a stroke. That's why we take anticoagulants.

[MountainGuide in reply to Thomas45]

Thanks Thomas45. I am on blood thinners and do recognise their need. Over the past few years I have had a recorder, surgically inserted in the left side of my chest. Unfortunately the battery has now died and my GP and cardiologist are not keen to replace it. To me it seems that having found PAF that is the end of the story for my consultants. Having some way of monitoring into the future is what I'd like. I can check my BP and pulse every day, which at the moment is all okay, although my pulse is a little irregular but never raised above 65 (ish) since last December. I will raise the subject of using Kardia again with the surgeon who will remove the inserted recorder later this month.

[Namreh]

Kardia mobile is an awesome tool to have. I have been using one for 4 years, I like it and so does my cardiologist. You can track when you go in afib and when you are out of it. I have the 6 lead one, my wife has the credit card version. It fits in her phone.

I highly recommend

[MountainGuide in reply to Namreh]

Thank you for replying so positively.