AliveCor KardiaMobile 6-Lead ECG Monitor

[Chinkoflight]

I had a cryptogenic stroke with no co-morbidities discharged to 'wait for the next event'! Has anyone experience off using the above or 1 lead version and finding AF or associated issues undiagnosed in the usual holter/ECG tests and subsequently getting a change of treatment/diagnosis?

[tunybgur]

I don't have experience of the Kardia although I'm sure there are many on this forum who will help you there, but I do use a HealForce PC80B which is very simple to use. You just hold it against your chest, and it gives an excellent rhythm trace which clearly shows the P wave or absence of it, and any irregular heartbeat, which are both indicators of AF.

My cardiologist was very impressed with the quality of the trace.

Not expensive, knowledge is power.

Good luck

[Chinkoflight in reply to tunybgur]

Hi, thanks for the very helpful reply. I haven't heard of this device so I will look into it. My GP suggested the Kardia device hence enquiring. I don't feel my heart but as a consequence of the stroke I'm a lot more concerned. My new smartwatch picked up a high heart rate which I was unaware of but related to an agitated one hour episode I was aware of. This is promoting me to be able to check my heart when I am aware of being agitated! If the time and place allows! Thanks again.

[Henry20]

Hi

Yes, I have the 6L model. (I do not to subscribe to their diagnostic service). I bought it about 10 months ago. (Note, I have no medical training, I just use the device as an indicator and go to my GP/consultant as normal when I feel I need to).

In my case, it is well worth the extra money for the 6L device over the 1L. I bought a small case for mine and it goes with me when away from home. I also have a spare battery for it, but haven't had to replace the one it came with yet.

I suggested looking carefully at the way in which the device has to be used. The 1L can be used more discretely just sitting at a table. The 6L needs you to also have a bare knee or ankle as well.

Be aware that it is not a device that will record continuously like a Holter device. You have to specifically make the recording - difficult in the middle of a shopping mall - and you can then be doing nothing else when making a measurement. I suggest that you need to think about whether this device will actual capture the event, as it is not clear to me that a 'one off' moment can be captured by the Kardia device. Only a Holter will do this as far as I am aware.

I am also not expert at interpreting the output. If you are able to ask your GP or consultant whether they would take notice of the output, it might help you in deciding what to do about buying one. I would also ask them if the Kardia stands any realistic chance of capturing the event.

One of the GPs in my practice carries one and uses it on appropriate occasions just to get an initial quick indication, apparently. He has both models. But it is no substitute for a full ecg or Holter measurement.

I have ectopic beats which can be difficult to capture. We all have ectopic beats, but mine would come and go, changing in severity, seemingly at random. Holter tests did capture some but none of the major ectopic instances (highest so far 24 in 1 minute captured with my Kardia). If I feel my heart is misbehaving I can record it.

If you do buy one, I suggest that it is important for you to record traces when all is OK to learn what is normal. Deviations can then be spotted more easily. It's interpreting the output that is difficult.

Good luck. If you buy one, I hope it helps

Henry

[Chinkoflight in reply to Henry20]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to give such a full and very helpful reply. 5 years ago I was referred by my GP for a holter check after finding a low heart rate in a screening health assessment. I was completely unaware of this. Bradycardia with ectopic beats was the outcome. At 70 and being reasonably fit with regular exercise and no health issues I had a severe stroke. Repeat 24hr holter and other tests haven't revealed AF etc . It's probably the cause, is the diagnosis, but hasn't been seen and there are no other issues. I was lucky to be thrombolised and am back 7 weeks later to being at more or less the same level of health as before the stroke. My GP suggested the Kardia, he would accept the findings, as with restricted access to NHS monitoring 12 weeks plus just for a 24hr holter (I paid privately) the likelihood of referral for longer holter is very low. I think your advice has swung it and I'll probably purchase being fully aware of the limitations.

Do I want to know whether there is an identifiable issue that might give rise to clot forming in the heart is the question to resolve. And do I want to accept the treatment that may be available to resolve any self identified issue.

Or do I just want to have the possibility of another event hanging over me and I did nothing.

The consultant said that quite apart from recovering through the use of thrombolising treatment, 'I was lucky to be alive'. Next time.....

Thank you so much again for the helpful reply.

[Henry20 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Hi

It's really helpful to have a GP suggesting the use of the device. He will clearly be more willing to interpret the traces you get.

They can be output in PDF format and printed. Full size, there can be many pages - but I shrink them by printing 4 pages on to a sheet of A4. It's essential to fill in the notes bit to help you find things later. I probably have over 100 on my phone and going back through the history is so much easier with a few key words to look at.

As you seem to have a good relationship with your GP, he might be able to give a few pointers about what to look for. However, I suspect you just need to get to know your own heart trace and its variability to learn to spot the abnormal.

By the way, I still haven't really learned what the signs of AF are!

All the best

Henry

[Chinkoflight in reply to Henry20]

When consultants use words like cryptogenic and occult to explain events I would rather they had more data! If I can demonstrate an AF or flutter event which they suspect, then they may change the treatment options to lessen future risk. I guess I am hoping to reduce the risk going forward within the limitations of my control. To this end I have also just come in from week 5/1 of Couch to 5k. While I walk, cycle ,garden ,diy for exercise I have never run. So far so.......! Thanks again.

[richard_jw]

Hi, My cardiologist recommended it in order to "catch" irregular heart rhythms. He said that a Holter often does not detect short duration arrhythmias.The best option is an implantable loop recorder. This is a small device which is inserted under the skin. You have a local anaesthetic . He started by talking about one for me, but ended up by suggesting a Kardiamobile. (easier, cheaper etc).

I believe the ILR records all the time, and when you have an attack, you press a button, and it records more detailed information. It is a device which you can wear for months if necessary.

The Kardiamobile detects irregular heart rhythms. It does not detect specifically a heart attack or (I assume) a TIA or stroke.

I have a 1 lead Kardiamobile. You put 2 fingers of each hand on the device, and it takes the measurement. It transfers the data to a smartphone and the app on the phone provides a one line ECG for 30 secs and is very easy to use.

The app analyses the output and in addition to a one line ECG, it provides a description of any condition detected (e.g. afib, Bradycardia etc.)

The description is not particularly reliable. I have seen afib on several occasions, but when I sent the output to the cardiologist, he said that it was absolutely not afib, just ectopics.

So the graphical output is pretty accurate.

The above made me learn the basics of interpreting an ECG, because I found it difficult to get the NHS cardiologist to respond to my email of the output.

Because I don't have Afib, I think that the Kardiabobile effectively plays it safe when it says that I do.

If you have afib, I think the device would be more useful (to me anyway)

I'm not medically trained, but if I understand that those who have afib are more likely to have a stroke or some other similar event.

Speaking personally, if I had had a TIA, I would talk to my cardiologist about an ILR

Here is an article about the relative efficacy of different monitoring devices.

Hope it helps

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Chinkoflight in reply to richard_jw]

Thanks so much for spending the time to give such a comprehensive answer. I think it's stacking up as the way to go. It won't cure me, may even detect a problem, but it will give me a bit of control over some useful data whatever that is, normal to problems! Thank you again

[Hidden]

Hi, I asked a similar question this week with regards to the kardiamobile 6l after being diagnosed with bradycardia, mvp and lvh during the past two years. I've had many various test and was recently took off bisoprolol due to my hr being a low as 33 and now the cardiologist wants a clear idea of my pulse without any meds and said I may need a pacemaker so im having a 3 day holter monitor next wk before any decisions are made. I decided to take the plunge and bought the kardia 6l and already this wk it has reported PVCs, bradycardia and SVT episodes so hopefully it will be of some use to the cardiologist when I see him again. Like many things all test or monitors are good but it's catching episodes as they happen so I think its a handy bit of kit to use as a back up to help diagnose health issues along the way. Yes it can be expensive but I wish I'd bought it sooner and maybe things may of moved faster for us.I hope this helps

Best wishes

Taz71.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Hidden]

Hi, thanks for the very helpful reply. The evidence of users seems to be stacking up in favour and is re-assuring to my current mindset. Thanks again.

[Ticker26]

HiI have the 6 lead Kardia and have found the hardest part is getting the GP or cardiologist to look at any of the results so the fact your GP is on board is a huge bonus. Like someone else has said, they aren’t always totally accurate- I had readings of AF on the Kardia and was subsequently told it wasn’t AF just ectopics.

Also, sometimes when having palpitations and seeing the readings looking anything but normal it does come back with ‘normal sinus rhythm’ but having said that I would recommend getting one.

Best wishes

[Chinkoflight in reply to Ticker26]

Thanks for the very helpful reply. I don't have any sense of what my heart is doing! After an agitated event I became aware it tied in to a very high heart rate on my smartwatch unrelated to exercise. I had been similarly agitated prior to my stroke. It is the only symptom I have had and all tests etc have drawn blank. While my new smartwatch is good for recording exercise etc in all other respects it can't give clinical grade evidence. The Kardia goes someway to closing that loop and whatever the data generated, including nothing to see here!, it will give me hopefully a small sense of control. Thanks again for the reply.

[Baroman]

I have just bought the 6 lead Kardia after having arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation problems. These days it’s hard to see a doctor and almost impossible to see a cardiologist, so I decided to equip myself so that I could keep an eye on my condition myself. It woks very well an clearly shows irregularities and detects arrhythmia and AF amongst other things. I also have a fingertip oxy meter which gives a quick indication of irregular heart beat.

Good luck

[Chinkoflight in reply to Baroman]

Hi, thanks for the helpful response. It seems the way to go given the current access issues, priorities to services and wait time. Best regards going forwards.