Alivecore Kardia Machine or similar.

[Mgs333]

I posted earlier in the week about my 4 yr battle with heart palpitations which have become a bit of a mystery with doctors saying they could be benign PVC's.

One of the big problems is trying to capture the palpitations. I tend to have them just at night but all my hospital tests have been during the day! ....(is it me?). So I have decided to buy my own heart monitor machine hopefully so I get proof for myself and the doctor of whats going on. I have been told the Alivecore Kardia machine is good which you use with a smart phone but have to put your fingers on the machine pads whenever you get a palpitations and it measures the next one....but not great if you are asleep. Has anybody used this machine or any recommendations of other ones to check out.?

[Jalia]

I have had a Kardia device for a few years and find it invaluable for recording out of the norm heart rhythm mishaps.

It will record for a minimum of 30 seconds but you can set it for longer.

I bought mine from PMS Instrumemts and found them excellent to deal with..

A great device which I highly recommend.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Before spending hard earned money why not ask for a 24/48 hour ECG. As your palpitations happen every night this should capture events.

[Hidden]

Just to say that I have one of these Alivecor kardia devices, and as you say, you need to start your phone, then press your fingers onto the device to record.

I have had mixed results, from really clear, to occasionally really 'noisy' readings, which my doctors says she's 'never seen such a noisy result'.

But it DOES indicate in the display that 'arrhythmia suspected' when I measure sometimes.

Also, like you, I too have more palpitations at night, for I wear an 'Oura' ring (do look them up, if you haven't heard of them, as they are very accurate) and although it can't identify actual arrhythmia, what does raise my suspicions is the long gaps in heart rate recordings in the early part of my sleep.

So I'm going to again ask my doctor to borrow their 24/48hr heart rate monitor, which I have had before, and you can request through your GP. At least my Oura ring has brought this to my attention (though I bought the 'computer' ring to track sleep quality, in areas well above what a FitBit will: Deep sleep; REM sleep; latency (how quickly you fall asleep); how many hours; WHEN you lowest heart rate was, which helps in recovery; and a personal 'guide' as to what actual time best suits the individual to go to bed. A VERY worthwhile investment, and you can track what changes occur when you experiment with eating a light snack before bed, versus not eating at all; and other factors, which can affect sleep quality (blue light from LED lights and computer and phone screens, all which upset one's circadian rhythm (I wear special 'blue blocker' specs at night, in order to encourage melatonin production - much like exposure to natural daylight does the opposite, together with a daily walk or other outdoor activity). But anyway, I digress.....

You might ALSO check your vitamin D levels, as 80% of people are sub par in this vitamin, and ALSO magnesium deficiency (and you need sufficient vitamin D to absorb magnesium). I supplement with both, and the most absorbable form of magnesium is L-threonate, so take both, as well as selenium and zinc, which are crucial for good health. even on a good, healthy diet, we may be deficient in any one, or more, of these.

But magnesium is crucial for the heart, and in some cases arrhythmia can be cured completely by supplementing with magnesium - in combination with vitamin D (in gel capsule form ideally, as it's absorbed far quicker and more efficiently in this form.

Good luck with your health meanwhile.

[Mgs333 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ian, all very interesting...I already supplement with Vitamin D and Magnesium so thats all good. Ive never heard of a Oura ring so I will definitely check it out. Funnily enough I spoke via the internet to somebody from Alivecore Kardia directly who confirmed that their machine would not work for me, as you have to manually turn it on and place your fingers on the pads to get a reading....not really the thing if your asleep! I am now going to explore buying my own chestband or home ecg machine that will capture my palps when i am asleep......Thanks and good luck mate.

[Hidden in reply to Mgs333]

And thank you for your quick reply.

Actually you might want to check eBay out for cardio machines. I saw a very substantial SEGA machine being sold secondhand, which accurately monitors your heart, and gives a printout too. The only thing that put me off whas having to buy the specialist paper/card for the machine - but in hindsight may NOT be something one should skip on, as the reliability of the SEGA machines (like they use in hospitals) is a byword. In some ways I wish I HAD bought the one I almost did, instead of the Alivecor machine - as useful as it might be, but NOT always accurate and unable to monitor during sleep either.

All the best.

[Hidden in reply to Mgs333]

I forgot to say: Alivecor also sell a version which works with an Apple smart watch, which in effect WOULD therefore record (I would hope) any irregularities while asleep.

The only downside is the high levels of EMF that smart watches give off - and hence why I decided against buying one. However, you may feel the heart issue is MORE important than the long term effects of EMF. It's of course a course or choice you'll have to make.

[Mgs333 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ian, yes I know about the apple watches but it has to paired to a apple iphone to work...it would cost small fortune....I have a decent android phone but it wont work...I checked....Thanks again.