Apple Watch ECG

I have Medtronic EN1DR01 pacemaker implanted and am trying to use Apple Watch 4 ECG app. It starts to count down from 30 to 29 and restarts repeatedly back to 30. The app itself is ok - I tested it on my wife’s hand and her ECG result got recorded. This means the problem is with having pacemaker implanted. Anyone had similar problems?

3 Comments

Apple watch

by AgentX86 - 2019-05-25 13:31:08

I believe the Apple Watch states that it's not for people with Afib or pacemakers. Kardia Mobile has the same disclaimer. Pacing spikes tend to confuse these toys.

Kardia

by Selwyn - 2019-05-25 17:51:49

Kardia mobile is fine with pacemakers and AF providing you know what you are looking at. In fact, the software seems designed to report on AF specifically.  It is being used to screen for AF in UK primary care medical practice. 

Having a pacemaker does not confuse Kardia. My electrocardiologist is quite happy to receive my print outs from the Kardia.  Last used Kardia yesterday, and believe me my pacemaker is working! Accurately tells me my resting heart rate is 60 bpm, displays all my various ECG abnormalities for a single lead ECG. I have been able to hand in to my cardiologists print outs of atrial flutter and fibrillation. A picture is worth a thousand words!

The manufacturers of Kardia are not able to make a recommendation for pacemaker users as they have not got the studies to back up what they could or could not say. That does not mean that it is not a useful tool for us. Their advice is quite clear- it should not be used if you have a PM or ICD . They have a legal basis to say this. 

Reality, is that Kardia is very useful in those with PMs for arrhythmia detection, though it's use should be with common sense, and in no way should it be seen as a definitive diagnositic tool, rather it is a good guide as to any change taking place, and a bit more so if you understand ECG ( EKG) changes. 

if you can read EKGs

by AgentX86 - 2019-05-25 21:11:54

Kardia Mobile is just OK (the original is only one lead so doesn't show much). It is useful to send information to your EP but your pacemaker is better. If you have Alivecor read it, it's useless for anyone with a PM. They tell me just that my rhythm is from an "unknown origin". It doesn't take a genius to see the pacing spikes.

The Apple watch is even worse.

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Try to concentrate on how you’re able to be active again and feel normal, rather than on having a machine stuck in your body.