A few times recently I thought I sensed an irregular heartbeat. I wasn’t doing anything strenuous, just sitting, writing computer programs on my laptop. I wasn’t at all sure of any problem, but, being a Senior Citizen, it seemed prudent to ask my GP for an EKG. I did that, but she told me that a personal EKG monitor would be the better way to go, because readings can be taken much more often. And, especially, at any time that something seems to be amiss.

She recommended the “KardiaMobile” brand. And, specifically, the “KardiaMobile 1-Lead Personal EKG Monitor” model. She said it was sufficiently good, and was inexpensive: “Only $79!”

But, being an engineer, I looked at all of the KardiaMobile offerings on Amazon, and compiled a summary report, which follows. But first, three notes…

1. The 2 electrode models (electrodes for left and right digits) provide a “1 lead” display.
2. The 3 electrode model provide a “6 lead” display. The third electrode is on the back of the unit, to be placed against your left leg. Without the leg contact it operates as a 2 electrode model to provide a “1 lead” display.
3. For all models you must download the free Kardia app for your smartphone.

I chose the “KardiaMobile 6-Lead Personal EKG Monitor” because it’s the only model with Bluetooth connectivity AND a replaceable battery. After a dozen+ readings over a three-day interval I’ve seen no anomalous results. So my $129 purchase has brought nothing but peace of mind. Which IS a worthy result!

KardiaMobile 1-Lead Personal
Electrodes: 2
Price: $79.00
Battery: CR2016
Phone link: NFC– very short range

https://a.co/d/htomb8D
_______________________________

KardiaMobile Card Personal
Electrodes: 2
Price: $89.00
Battery: Nonreplaceable
Phone link: Bluetooth
Credit card size (but thicker)
When the battery expires you have to get another card. Perhaps a reduced price if you mail the exhausted card back to them???

https://a.co/d/5V7m8ly
________________________________

KardiaMobile 6-Lead Personal
Electrodes: 3
Price: $129.00
Battery: CR2016
Phone link: Bluetooth

https://a.co/d/ggu3p8f
________________________________

There are two additional offerings of the KardiaMobile 6-Lead Personal on Amazon:

1. $169.00 – Includes Access to 6 Months of KardiaCare Heart Health Membership.
2. $199.00 – Includes 1 Year Access.

Re: KardiaCare:
“Join KardiaCare, our one-of-a-kind heart health membership, to get even more out of your KardiaMobile 6L. Members can detect 3 additional types of arrhythmias, send their EKGs for review by a cardiologist, generate on-demand heart health reports, and more.”

And this from an Amazon customer review of the 6-Lead Personal:

“But the biggest thing I was curious about - can I change the battery?
YES! You can,
On the bottom there are 2 screws in the middle. Remove them with a 00 Phillips screwdriver and the battery is right there. It takes a CR2016.”

Explanation of 6-lead traces:
https://www.barnardhealth.us/c...ads-avr-avl-avf.html

Our resident SF cardiologist said they were legit. Instead you can wear a Holter monitor for a week and find out. Atrial fibrillation for some people comes and goes. The danger is you are six times greater to have a stroke. Holter monitor is clearly superior. Many people with AFib cannot detect symptoms.

The commercials are annoying and prey on people's anxieties.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
The commercials are annoying and prey on people's anxieties.

Annoying commercials? Well, I guess that rules them out.

Are you being sarcastic?

My friend was alerted to a heart issue that will need Cardiac Ablation by the monitor built into an Apple Watch. These types of items can be useful, but regular doctors visits is still necessary.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
They are competing with Apple I guess. I agree office visits with a cardiologist are needed.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Are you being sarcastic?

Probably so. Just take it easy, please, ZSMICHAEL. Calm blue ocean.

Copy that.

Most of these problems are caused by low magnesium levels. See Dr Stephen Sinatra's book "The Sinatra Solution: Metabolic Cardiology".

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Are you being sarcastic?

Probably so. Just take it easy, please, ZSMICHAEL. Calm blue ocean.

Re: Apple Watch: Mine is the SE, so it doesn't have the EKG stuff, but it is supposed to alert me to heartbeat irregularities.

In the various and sundry exams I've had over the last few years there's been nothing to suggest I need to keep closer track. I suppose, if it was deemed necessary by a doc, my first inclination would be to upgrade my Apple Watch.

Here are some of the features that Rockley Photonics is working on:

https://s28.q4cdn.com/74957767...ation-2022-11-15.pdf

My Cardiologist recommended the Kardia when he found I was Afib. Have used it ever since and provides peace of mind and some odd readings on occasion that I can give to the Doc for eval. Well worth the price.

I have and have used your option 3 for about 3+ years. My one advise is to find a very stable place to rest your fore arms on while taking a measurement. The unit is very sensitive. My electrical cardiologist said mine was always picking up extraneous “noise”. It was readable, but just barely. I have no idea how you’d get the “6-lead” reading accomplished because of the sensitivity issue.

Recently I bout an Apple Watch 8, which appears to be as good, but as it’s strapped to your wrist, much easier to work with. If I can answer other questions drop me an email or maybe we can set up a call.

People I know are fans of the Apple watch as it also performs other functions and does not have an never ending subscription. Quite reliable.

Four years ago I was in my cardiologist's office and he compared my apple watch to the multi lead EKG. He said the watch matched the machine for the lead it was checking.

How easy is it "to read" the results and know something is wrong versus normal ?

I have A-fib and some friends gave me a 1-lead KardiaMobile that worked well and made it easy to email the readings to my electrophysiologist. I then upgraded to the 6-lead model to provide more data to the EP. As for the ease of reading, the APP tells you if you're in possible A-fib, Normal, Tachy, etc. The graph is very clear and you can easily email it to your doc. You may also opt to pay a monthly fee to have their cardo guy look at it. I already have a cardiologist and EP so don't need that service.

quote:

Originally posted by jbcummings:
I have and have used your option 3 for about 3+ years. My one advise is to find a very stable place to rest your fore arms on while taking a measurement. The unit is very sensitive. My electrical cardiologist said mine was always picking up extraneous “noise”. It was readable, but just barely. I have no idea how you’d get the “6-lead” reading accomplished because of the sensitivity issue.
<snip>

I’ve had no noisy display problems at all when taking a “1 lead” (2 electrode) reading. There can be noise problems when taking a “6 lead” (3 electrode) reading, probably because the skin of my ankle is dry. Moistening the 3rd (back) contact eliminates that problem.

quote:

Originally posted by TomV:
How easy is it "to read" the results and know something is wrong versus normal ?

After a reading the Kardia app reports “Normal sinus rhythm” if it detects no problems. I assume that it would announce any detected problem.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pipe Smoker,