Home Heart Monitors for Atrial Fib

Farmor15

store.alivecor.co.uk/products/kardiamobile

My GP suggested this one when I had symptoms of possible atrial fibrillation - the intermittent type which can come on for a few hours and then stop. There's an app for phone which you use in conjunction with the device which is very small - just put 2 fingers of each hand on it, near the phone with app activated.

I was able to record 30 sec ECG when I next felt I had an episode - it showed probable Afib - and e-mail results to GP. On the basis of that, he referred me to cardiologist, sending on my recorded results. Since then, I've had some "proper" ECGs, but not when and episode was happening, so the Kardiamobile was actually how my condition was diagnosed. It's very useful as I can use when I feel I might have an episode of Afib or to confirm when I think my heart is back to normal rhythm.

Thanks for all the advice. Earlier on today I ordered the one you mention Farmor15 and elasticatedslacks

And thank you Farmor for your reassuring advice which I really appreciate.

MadMeg I joined an online group for Atrial Fibrillation UK yesterday and asked for advice re machines and treatment etc. The members have all been so helpful. I would recommend joining it to get answers to any of your questions.

Ive had cancer too - found heart scarier! My consultant was Dr Tushar Salukhe at Royal Brompton - specialises in cardiac arrhythmias.

I also on apixaban blood thinner twice a day to counteract stroke risk - I literally hardly ever think about A Fibs now which is a great place to be in mentally! Beta blockers didnt suit me at all - I felt as though I was walking through treacle whilst on them.

A few months ago I started having these strange sensations in my chest. Very intermittent and lasting only a few minutes. Then one night I had them lasting a couple of hours. I rang 111 and was told someone would get back to me. They didn't.

A week later the same thing happened and I went to our out-of-hours clinic where the nurse packed me off to A&E. After the usual 6-hour wait I was given tests and diagnosed with AFib. I was prescribed blood thinners and beta blockers - which I was already on due to a TIA 12 years ago. The hospital doc said the new ones were better for Afib.

I was referred on to the cardiologist at the hospital, but a letter arrived a couple of weeks later saying no appointments for 9 months. At least.

I've had no more "attacks" since the new drugs but the long wait is worrying me. But equally I'm worried that if I get one of these machines I will worry even more if it shows anything amiss and not know what to do about it. My GP (whoever he or she is these days) hasn't given me any advice at all other than keep taking the tablets!!!

Having also just gone through 6 months of cancer treatment (I get the results in 2 weeks) I was looking forward to a cruise to celebrate, but wouldn't get insurance with an outstanding appointment to see a cardiologist.

Would one of these machines help me to get seen quicker if it shows a problem or will still have to wait? I don't suppose anyone knows.

I've also considered a private cardiologist. Does anyone have any advice. I do have private insurance but already claimed on it this year for the cancer treatment (another unfortunate story).

Thanks.

I have a Kardia machine which cost about £99 - it gives a medical grade ECG in 30 seconds and is recommended by NICE - also my cardiologist! You put 2 fingers on it from each hand and it takes a reading which appears as a graph on smart phone and tells you if you have A Fibs or not - I find it wonderfully reassuring. A Fibs can be the most frightening things, death seems imminent but since my ablation in 2012 Ive only had 3 or 4 further episodes and am now on 'pill in the pocket' flecanaide. Plus medication for high blood pressure. It is such a sense of security having a Kardia - its the most basic one not the more expensive one btw. Its tiny and very thin - half the size of a credit card.

Astitchintime - for most conditions what you said is correct - for example monitoring blood pressure. However, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is intermittent in nature - as I said above, mine was initially about once a month, so it's unlikely a 24 hour ECG would have "caught" it. It would be impossible for a novice at home to give wrong results using the device I described previously. As my GP recommended it and cardiologist accepted results it would seem to be a good way to get diagnosed.

Sparklefizz - just to give you some encouragement - atrial fibrillation does not mean you're going to have a heart attack, but it increases risk of stroke, so it's important to get diagnosed and put on correct medication - usually an anti-coagulant and beta blocker. I was diagnosed over 4 years ago and have episodes at varying intervals - initially about once a month. Then nearly a year went by without any episodes but recently they've been about once a week lasting from a few minutes to hours. Initially I found them frightening, but once I knew the anti-coagulant would probably protect me from stroke, I just try to ignore!

Last night it started shortly before I went to bed - I just carried on as normal - only problem for me is that Afib initially causes hugely increased urine production so I had to get up twice before I finally fell asleep. But when I woke early this morning heart was back to normal - I take my own pulse as a quick check.

It has always been my understanding that when a medical professional wants 'things monitoring' the patient attends a clinic to have the necessary equipment put in situ and advised of how to go about their daily lives until such a time as the monitoring period is complete - I had such a monitor a few years ago btw.

Surely, a complete novice might get things wrong leading to incorrect information being gathered.

I just checked and the Kardiamobile is one of those on BHF website - cheaper to order from them. The one I have is the basic one for £89 currently. I would consider it money very well spent!

I was referred to my local hospital where they fitted me with a monitor with wires attached to sticky pads over my body. I had to wear this for 24 hours whilst it monitored my heart and then leave the recording the next day at the hospital.. I had to sign a form saying that if I didn't return the monitor I would be charged hundreds of pounds...Luckily it showed that I didn't have atrial fibulation,

store.alivecor.co.uk/products/kardiamobile

My GP suggested this one when I had symptoms of possible atrial fibrillation - the intermittent type which can come on for a few hours and then stop. There's an app for phone which you use in conjunction with the device which is very small - just put 2 fingers of each hand on it, near the phone with app activated.

I was able to record 30 sec ECG when I next felt I had an episode - it showed probable Afib - and e-mail results to GP. On the basis of that, he referred me to cardiologist, sending on my recorded results. Since then, I've had some "proper" ECGs, but not when and episode was happening, so the Kardiamobile was actually how my condition was diagnosed. It's very useful as I can use when I feel I might have an episode of Afib or to confirm when I think my heart is back to normal rhythm.

Thanks for that encouraging post - not! oldbat

My friend has serious heart issues. She keeps being carted off by blue light ambulances. She went to hospital last week and they used one of these instead of giving her an ecg. She has bought her own monitor now. It doesnt help with her AF just tells her it isnt right! She has had ablations etc and so much medication to take - nothing is helping. She is totally fed up.

Aveline

Check the British Heart Foundation website. They have info on what to look for and also sell them direct. Prices very varied.

Yes. I had a look at their website last night. Thank you.

We bought one after my husband had problems with episodes of rapid heart rate, the problem is we don’t know how to interpret the results. I believe there is an online service that gives a report of the readings but it is a paid for service and his AF is now under control with beta blockers and a switch to decaffeinated coffee.

I know my son has a watch that monitors his AF.
The data is stored and I know he's shared it with his consultant.

Check the British Heart Foundation website. They have info on what to look for and also sell them direct. Prices very varied.

Does any organisation or charity rent them out?

I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can in order to make an informed decision and work out what questions I need to ask.

He said very little about anything at all, and I was feeling really rough when I saw him, so didn't ask much. As I said in my post, "week(s)" - I have no idea how many weeks.

I see you seem to think you would just have it for a week though. Did he/she say that?

I'd ask your GP to request one whilst you are researching. It sounds as though he is going to suggest that you have one (from the NHS) rather than have one on loan for a week...

Thank you for that Aveline

I'm sure it's not as accurate but my Fitbit Luxe has a fibrillation notification system. Just a thought.