Medical devices to monitor heart rhythm (i.e., Alivecor, KardiaMobile)

I can’t comment as to the pacemaker, but I have used the Kardiamobile 6L along with a loop recorder (implant), post-catheter ablation for Afib and Afl. According to my EP, AliveCor misidentified a number of arrhythmias as Afib (and that includes the overreads by their cardiologists) which were merely runs of PACs. Customer Support claimed that my missing p-waves were the result of low voltage areas in my heart and caused my Kardiamobile to read the irregularities as Afib. My EP showed me the 3-D cardiac mapping from my procedure indicating inconsequential areas of low voltage. So I would have to conclude that the inexpensive Kardiamobile is much less accurate than the quite expensive ILR!

I have been living with afib, PACs, and PVCs for some years. I have a Kardia, but I can just tell from experience, and by taking my pulse, what kind of rhythm problem I am having. My Kardia is good for sending EKGs to my EP though.

It definitely increased my anxiety. My Dr. told me to put it a drawer and use it occasionally.

I have an Apple Watch and iPhone, but I use
the 2 lead Lookee Tech ECG instead of the ECG on the iPhone.

The device is accurate and works with Apple or Android. The screen is bigger, easier to read, can be used lying down, standing up or sitting if you attach the 2 leads. The electrode pads that attach to the leads are reusable and can be purchased on Amazon - 3M Red Dot Monitoring Electrode 2560. A package costs about $10 for 50 electrodes. I only use the electrodes for accuracy.

There is no subscription fee to use the device unless you want optional features, like AI analysis or Cloud storage. The ECGs can be stored locally on your phone, computer, or within the VI Health app. It is easy to download pdf files or take screen shots to send to your doctor.

When I exercise, I put on the 2 leads and take my ECG standing up every mile on 5 mile jog, or if I have symptoms. I can quickly see if I am having arrhythmias or in AFib. This has allowed me to exercise safely and to modify my exercise intensity.

I have attached screen shots of a recent overnight asymptomatic AFib episode and a few hours later when my heart returned to normal sinus rhythm after taking Flecainide.

The company has great customer support. I have used their devices for over 2 years.

Good info. I presume it is well known that Apple Watch and Kardia can’t detect flutter but watching the ekg waveform can spot both flutter and PVC’s. Apple Watch can’t spot PVC’s either.

And doesn’t it feel good to still be one step ahead of the AI! 😉 (at least for now!)…

Lookee Tech ECG, Apple iPhone and Watch post continued:

I saw my EP after my AFib episode in Oct and he confirmed by enlarging the irregular Lookee Tech ECG in the Vi app on my iphone that I was in AFib.

I also showed him the graph from the Apple Health HRV - Heart Rate Variability- for that day. I have attached the screen shot. My HRV is normally stable in the 20's. The night I went into Afib, my HRV increased to a peak of 149! I looked at the individual beat to beat measurements and saw that my poor heart was going up and down all night between 60 and 134 while I was asleep. My normal averages 58 while I am asleep. I did not hear the alerts the watch was sending while I was asleep until the morning.

Other smart devices may also calculate HRV and this may help others to identify AFib episodes.

I have asymptomatic AFib and I rely on my watch to look for AFib or irregular heart rate changes that are not typical for me; I glance at my watch throughout the day. I also get alerts for high heart rates or low heart rates. Sometimes the alerts are not afib but strings of PACs (screen shot attached). I was told the frequent PACs can turn into AFib.

The book, AFib Cure, is my guidebook for managing my arrhythmias. I message questions and abnormal ECGs to my EP's office through their Health app for expert advice when I have questions.

So far I am doing well. Only 2 AFib episodes this year. I have learned to keep my heart rate under 120 to keep me out of AFib, keep my stress down, healthy eating, exercise, etc

What model watch and phone do you have. I’m not familiar with lookee app. I do have Kardia mobile card but my Drs. Don’t really look into it when I show them things.

I have an old Apple Watch Series 5 and a newer Series 8. The Series 5 is connected to an iPhone SE and the Series 8 is connected to an iPhone 12.

The Lookee Tech ECG device downloads the ECG data to the VI Health app (screen shot attached) on my iphone through bluetooth. The ECG device alone has limited storage capacity. Once I take a few readings, I select the Settings button and then Bluetooth to transfer the ECG to my iPhone "VI Health" app. Then I delete the ECGs on the device.

The iPhone Health app complies data from the Watch, Activity, and other devices, such as the Omron Connect Series 5 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor, or Lookee Tech Sleep Pro Oximeter (oxygen level) . My phone keeps all my readings historically and graphs them.

Heart rhythm conditions can be challenging to diagnosis and treat. I have relied on my EP's nurses and physician assistants to help me learn more about my specific heart rhythm issues and treatment options. Are you able to message your Cardiologist or EP through their electronic medical record? If so, try to send a message with your questions and attach the ECG. I always get an answer same day or within a few days. The clinics can get busy. Sending a message may help you get the information you need.

Thanks for your advice. I don’t have an EP yet but need one. I plan to ask my cardiologist for a referral at my appointment in January.