Useful Apps

[JezzaJezza]

Hi all

I have SVT and associated flutter / ectopics / palpitations / skipped / extra heartbeats (pick your descriptive word of choice). Both are under very tight control with Dronedarone and Bisporolol 2.5.

My cardiologist and GP are both big fans of wearable tech although interestingly the HSE local hospital (Irish equivalent of NHS) scoffed at them. I pointed out that Apple spend multiples of billions more on R&D than the entire HSE budget and the nurse went quiet.

I use an Apple Watch Series 8 and it’s accurate to within 1bpm for HR against a chest hr monitor. I also use it to take regular ecg. One of the drawbacks of the Apple Watch is it will only check for AF if the HR is 50 or over. I wanted to let folks know that there is a fantastic app called Qaly that reads the ecg and checks for AF plus 20 other abnormal arrhythmias and conditions. It also provides PQRST readings. It is subscription but only costs €4.99pm. My cardiologist was astounded at the interpretation and results.

Another app I use is Welltory and this is for my own interest and to take an overall holistic view. It uses heart rate hrv measurements and from that produces in-depth metrics via a dashboard that show your battery, energy, health and a lot more. It’s subscription and was €60 for a year but has a free trial for 7 days. Using it I’ve adjusted when to exercise, when to rest, my sleep routine etc.

Finally I also use the app Calm which I have found transformational for meditation and relaxation. It’s also subscription with a free trial but I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Wearable tech and AI will transform health services over the next decade and beyond. After much pestering from me, my Dad now has the diabetes under skin reader which constantly monitors his blood sugar. Already the diabetes nurse has used the readings to adjust his insulin routine.

Hope this is useful and I’m sure will spark a conversation.

Best wishes

Jezza

[CDreamer]

I’ve always been a fan of tech, home monitoring and apps such as Calm so agree.

However, I’ve learned from this forum that is not the case for everyone, for many reasons.

If a worrier without any understanding of the condition or of the process, seeing a high heart rate, BP, ectopics, pauses can scare many which exacerbates their condition and it’s easy to become somewhat obsessive about monitoring to the point that the slightest out of the ‘norm’ becomes a big deal. So help or hinderance - depends.

There is Hypothosis that a large part of the healing process is the Reparitive Relationship between healer and patient. Many will only want input from a specialist and tend to do exactly what the doctor says. This of course is becoming much rarer to be able to establish a healing working relationship with a doctor as they have less and less time to get to know you so I think this is where self and remote monitoring may fill a gap. There was an article on remote monitoring of people with pacemakers can reduce hospitalisation of Heart Failure patients BUT I believe that patients need a lot more education on just because they cannot get to see their doctor, doesn’t mean they aren’t being carefully monitored in an effective way. It will always be a big stretch for some.

As far as AI is concerned - our surgery uses Anima as a triaging protocol and no matter if you phone or go online - you have to go through the process. This has resulted in much faster response times by the relevant professional - GP, Practice Nurse, Paramedic, Physiotherapist, Pharmacist (our surgery employs 3 consultant Pharmacists) or phlebotomist. I am more than happy with this system but about 40% of patients really do not!

[50568789]

All this tech stuff is very impressive, but it's always at a cost to the user and a profit to the manufacturer. The under skin reader for diabetes should be a must have, but currently only if you can afford it or you qualify for one through the NHS limited budget. What about the price of Gaviscon? I can remember when it was little known and the price was reasonable, now it seems to be everyone's favourite tipple and the price is astronomic. Is that the way economics works? Build up demand at low price then screw the customer when demand is high. Rant over, wife thinks I'm just a tight old s*d but I do get a bit shirty when I feel injustice has taken hold and particularly older people with health issues are being taken advantage of (where the hell is my Winter Fuel Allowance?)

[JezzaJezza in reply to 50568789]

Well I can’t comment on UK inflation, but it’s just as wild in Ireland. I don’t understand your point about ‘cost to the user and a profit to the tech companies’. These apps are developed by private companies - if they don’t make a profit they won’t be in business?

[50568789]

There's profit, and then there's profit.

[JezzaJezza in reply to 50568789]

As stated - each app costs me €5 pm. I think that’s very reasonable for something that analyses an ecg in under 10 secs and the other app provides me with health and heart insights and to make sense of what I’m feeling.

Don’t focus on the profit, focus on what the app costs you. If you feel it is good value, go ahead and purchase. If you don’t feel it’s good value don’t purchase it.

[Thomas45]

Yes, JezzaJ, you've told us what apps you have, but not told us why. So an Apple Watch may be very accurate telling you your heart rate, but why do you want to know?I can feel my pulse at any time.

I know how I feel in relation to AF, asthma, lymphoedema, and foot drop. I don't know what my PSA count is, and I doubt that there is an app for that.

When I was gardening yesterday, my heart rate increased. I expected that.

Technology is wonderful. I'm not averse to using it, but only for a purpose, and I don't understand what your purpose is.

[JezzaJezza in reply to Thomas45]

Couple of examples - I can see that by following the recommendations from the app that my quality and duration of sleep is improving. I can see that my pace of walking is quickening whilst my HR is reducing slightly (improved fitness). At the same time being able to see my HR when power walking means that I can ensure that I am not over-exerting myself (my HR is beta blocked).

When I first had episodes of SVT and ectopics and ended up at A&E, they had passed and the ecg did not detect any abnormality. By taking multiple readings with my Apple Watch my cardiologist was able to immediately see an arrhythmia. The Apple Watch categorises almost all arrhythmia as ‘possible AF’ without more detail. The Qaly app zeroed in and I was able to supply multiple data sets to my treatment team.

These are just a few examples.

[Thomas45]

When I had AF first I was told by a GP not to worry if it only happened once or twice a year, so I didn't. In the ninth year it happened much more and a different doctor told me to go to A&E, next time it happened. I did and was treated for AF. I was kept in overnight, prescribed Amiodarone, later had an echocardiogram, which showed my heart to be normal, and eventually saw a Cardiologist.The Amiodarone caused anxiety but didn't reduce AF episodes. I was put on Flecainide which worked for 12-13 years. At some stage between 12 and 13, my AF became persistent and asymptomatic. That was about seven years ago. I consider it now to be permanent. I take only an anticoagulant because of AF.

Because I'm asthmatic I wasn't prescribed a beta blocker.

I fail to see how any app could improve my quality of life, which quality is wonderful. It would be better if I did not have Foot drop, but it's inoperable, and most of the time it's free of pain just slows me down when waking, and makes me more prone to falling.

[JezzaJezza in reply to Thomas45]

You know my post wasn’t exclusively for you? You do know that, right?

[Thomas45]

Thank you for confirming that the apps you gave examples of, are not for everyone. I'm glad they're of use to you.

[JezzaJezza in reply to Thomas45]

Yep I’ve gone back and deleted the line in my original post where I said ‘of use to everyone - mandatory subscription and implementation required’

👍🏻