Patient Learning Module
Apps and Devices for Monitoring A-Fib
Whether you have A-fib or palpitations, these are the apps and devices that will help you monitor your heart rate and heart rhythm. As my patients get more tech savvy, I am often asked about devices to monitor heart rhythm. There is a myriad of devices and apps on the market for the same. So I decided to limit my list to apps that have been clinically proven to serve our purpose.
Also, in addition to the evidence base for the following, I took into consideration ease of use, elegance, and accuracy while compiling this list. The Kardia device and the Cardiio app were the most elegant and easy to use. The physician prescribed Holter monitor and Zio patch were the most accurate devices.
Kardia (AliveCor) ECG
- FDA approved
- Requires Alivecor/Cardia device (can be bought online)
- Physician prescription NOT required
- Not covered by insurance
Cardiio app:
- Not FDA approved
- Does NOT require an additional device
- Physician prescription NOT required
- Free to download from Google Play Store and iTunes App store
MyDiagnostick ECG
- Not FDA approved
- Requires MyDiagnostick ECG device
- Physician prescription NOT required
- Not covered by insurance
Symple (Symptom and Health Diary App):
- App to monitor symptoms
- NOT specific to atrial fibrillation
- Creates a report for physicians that you can print and bring to your appointment
Holter Monitor
- FDA approved
- Requires additional device (supplied by physician’s office or hospital)
- Physician prescription required
- Covered by insurance
- Often limited to the Holter model available at your physician’s office. Some of the old models are cumbersome to wear
- Records data up to one month. Typically prescribed for 24 to 96 hours
Zio Patch
- FDA approved
- Requires additional device (supplied by physician’s office or hospital)
- Physician prescription required
- Covered by insurance
- Records data up to 14 days
Event Monitor
- FDA approved
- Requires additional device (supplied by physician’s office or hospital)
- Physician prescription required
- Covered by insurance
- Often limited to the model available at your physician’s office
This list is not comprehensive. If you want to recommend an app or device that you found helpful, please leave a comment or email me at [email protected].
Patient Education Videos
Atrial fibrillation (also known as A Fib) is a heart condition with irregular heart rhythm. If you or a loved one suffers from A Fib, these videos will help you learn more about treatment options as well as living with A Fib.
The total duration of the playlist is 2 hrs and 15 minutes. This includes a comprehensive education video of 1 hr 37 minutes (last video in the playlist).
