Alivecor Kardia wristband ECG

[Stivkinh]

Hi guys,

Anyone used a Kardia wristband? Someone mentioned it her a few days ago and I’ve managed to get hold of one and I must say I’m impressed. If I’m being honest I probably don’t need an ECG machine but it’s just about her early warning device that helps me mentally. I was wondering if any of you have experience of using one? Is the premium membership worth it?

My wife tried it and we compared results, hers looked perfect, like it was designed on a computer, mine looked like a read out from a Japanese seismic detector!! To be fair,’both were normal. I posted a picture below, guess what one is mine lol.

Anyway, would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks guys.

Steve.

[Zena166]

Hi Steve. It looks an interesting purchase. I am in two minds about getting one as I did get obsessed with my heart rate and Fitbit immediately following heart attack last year and I still resort to checking more frequently than I care to admit to! I shall continue to consider it! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes. Zena

[Stivkinh in reply to Zena166]

Hey Zena, honestly, I’m not sure how many ECG’s you need per day lol. I think I agree with you, you do get a little obsessed but I think if anyone is allowed to be obsessed it’s us!

I like this device because it’s attached to my watch and it’s not intrusive, it’s also quick and easy to use. It’s more of an early warning system for me, probably based on irrational fear. I will keep you posted with my thoughts, thanks for the reply.

[barniecroft]

Think I'd rather not know lol

[Stivkinh in reply to barniecroft]

Haha! I can empathise with that.

[bobrob]

I had one, changed it to the kardia phone pad, works well. You know it uses sound to send to phone...

[Stivkinh in reply to bobrob]

Hi,

I noticed you can talk while it’s working and it will record. I thought that was to take notes to send to your gp?

[bobrob]

Thats true, and its annoying if you forget as it will record the tv, but it also uses high frequency audio to send the signal, no bluetooth or wifi needed... A young relative can actually hear it ‘whispering.’

[Stivkinh in reply to bobrob]

No way! Actually, now you say that, I didn’t pair the device or join my home network. I’m going to ask my 5 year old to listen to it.

How often do you use it in reality and do you think it’s a worthy purchase? I think it’s an amazing piece of tech but as I had a blocked artery I’m not sure I need it. I’m hoping it’s going to let me know if something starts to go wrong.

[bobrob]

Its good, it saved ne 1 hospital trip, i thought i had an AF event, recorded it, emailed to the AF team at the royal brompton, they agreed and scheduled me for a cardioversion procedure in 24 hours, but it went away quickly so we decided to hold fire - and it hasnt come back - but the hospital are very good.

Its reassuring and you can capture anythung unusual.

[Stivkinh in reply to bobrob]

That’s incredible, I don’t understand why GP’s don’t have these things. I’m sure Apple will have one built into their watch straps very soon.

I think for me it is reassurance more than anything, it’s almost like someone is watching you.

Do you pay for the premium subscription then?

[bobrob in reply to Stivkinh]

Cant work from a watch, you need to compare the left and right sides of the heart, one finger from each hand is needed, and the fingers must not touch. The little pads on the back of my phones about the smallest its likely to get. Could be built into the phone but i cant see them doing that.

[Stivkinh in reply to bobrob]

Ah bobrob! But they have made it smaller. It’s now a little bigger than a 20pence and it’s in the wrist strap. I will add a photo.

[Stivkinh in reply to bobrob]

Have a look at this

alivecor-uk.myshopify.com/p...

[GuyThoma in reply to Stivkinh]

I have the 6-lead finger and left knee version, I have had no need of the subscription, it stores dozens of reading and you can email them to yourself or your Dr if they allow email contact. I think the subscription is if you want a Kardia person to analyse your trace.

If you have the money, Kardias are worth it. I also had the 2-lead Kardia version that was more primitive, but the bluetooth was more robust. The only problem with the 6-lead is it seems prone to interference, and you have to wet your knee, or the connection isn't good enough

[bobrob]

My gp does have one, she suggested it for me, but they use 12 lead ecg’s if they want a real one, but can prove issues exist with the little one. No, you dont need the subscription, just make it and email it to yourself or save a pdf.

[A_fi_bR]

I don’t have the wristbands but I do have a Kardia device. It’s useful when I feel something happening to have some sort of evidence to show the GP. Although the GP is a little sceptical of it as he says it’s not very accurate. That said I am waiting for a cardiac referral partly due to this showing some abnormalities again. You can pay to have the ECG looked at by a cardiac nurse via the app. At least then you know it’s not your imagination and something physical is actually happening and you can go and get it checked out properly.

[Stivkinh in reply to A_fi_bR]

I can understand them being sceptical, I would have said it was nonsense if I hadn’t checked it out myself. I’m amazed by this thing, it’s completely medical grade and so small.

[A_fi_bR]

I don’t have the wristbands but I do have a Kardia device. It’s useful when I feel something happening to have some sort of evidence to show the GP. Although the GP is a little sceptical of it as he says it’s not very accurate. That said I am waiting for a cardiac referral partly due to this showing some abnormalities again. You can pay to have the ECG looked at by a cardiac nurse via the app. At least then you know it’s not your imagination and something physical is actually happening and you can go and get it checked out properly.

[IanMK]

The Kardia Mobile has been endorsed by NICE and is used by some CCGs. Some GPs do seem to be sceptical still, but they need to ‘get with the program’. Cardiologists generally consider them to be useful and mine has previously asked me to send him a copy of my recording.

I wouldn’t recommend the optional monthly ‘premium’ plan. This basically allows you to save recordings in Alivecor’s cloud. The basic free app allows you to save PDF records in your own cloud or email them to yourself.

[Stivkinh in reply to IanMK]

Hi Ian, I’m seeing my GP tomorrow and I’m definitely going to mention it, he’s old and I know he won’t even look at it.

I think it’s amazing.

[Hidden]

Hi Steve. Where did you purchase your from ?