Do you suspect your heart of arrhythmia?
If you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, you may be suffering from a cardiac arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are fairly common, affecting an estimated 2.2 million Americans. While many arrhythmias are harmless, some can be life-threatening.
If you think you may have an arrhythmia, it's important to see your doctor so he or she can diagnose and treat the condition if necessary. In the meantime, there are several things you can do to help your doctor get to the bottom of your symptoms.
If you are at rest and your heart is beating faster than 100-120 beats per minute in a sustained manner, and you feel short of breath or dizzy, feel very anxious or close to losing consciousness, or have pain in your chest, go to the emergency room immediately. If you are alone, call the emergency line immediately.
Why some arrhythmias are benign and some are dangerous
While many arrhythmias are harmless, some can be life-threatening. The difference between a benign arrhythmia and a dangerous one depends on several factors, including the type of arrhythmia, how fast the heart is beating, and whether there are any underlying heart conditions.
While some arrhythmia may be caused by an underlying cardiac condition which is life-threatening in itself, some other arrhythmia may cause the formation of a clot in the heart that can cause emboli to the brain, resulting in a stroke.
Why arrhythmias are hard to diagnose
One reason arrhythmias can be difficult to diagnose is that they often come and go, making them hard to catch during a doctor's visit. Additionally, many people with arrhythmias don't have any symptoms, so they may not even know they have one.
If you think you may have an arrhythmia, it's important to keep track of your symptoms and when they occur. This can help your doctor narrow down the type of arrhythmia you may have and make a diagnosis.
How app and connected devices may help diagnose arrhythmias
If you think you have an arrhythmia, one way to help diagnose it is to use a heart rate monitor or other portable device that can track your heart rate and activity level. Some devices also provide recordings of your heart waves (EKG) that, when analyzed by a doctor, can lead to an accurate diagnosis.
There are many types of devices on the market, but not all are equally reliable. Look for a device that has been validated by a third party, such as the FDA, Health Canada or the European Union.
Once you have a device, wear it for at least a week so you can get a good idea of your average heart rate and activity level. If you notice any changes in your heart rate or rhythm, make sure to record them in a journal or on the app that came with your device.
The Fitbit app is a health and fitness tracker that can help you manage your stress, sleep, and weight. The app has a 90-day trial of Fitbit Premium that gives you access to personalized guidance, customized health programs, and over 240 video workouts. You can also connect with friends, start challenges, and join an inspiring community.
Some models of Fitbit watches offer the functionality to detect cardiac arrhythmia. While older models of Fitbit watches were not as accurate in detecting arrhythmias, newer models seem to be more reliable. The Fitbit Charge 3 and Fitbit Ionic have both been validated by third parties and have been shown to be quite accurate in detecting arrhythmias.
Apple Health is a great app for keeping track of your health and fitness data. It provides a central and secure place for your information, so it's easily accessible and under your control. The app also features interactive charts to review your health data over time, trend analysis, and the ability to share your data with others.
While all Apple watch models provide some screening for arrhythmias by detecting a potentially abnormal rapid heart rate, the Apple Watch Series 4 and later models feature an electrical heart rate sensor that, along with the app, provides an electrocardiogram(EKG). This electrocardiogram is approved by the FDA, officially classifying it as a medical device.
Kardia is an app that helps you diagnose arrhythmias by recording your EKG. The app is easy to use and gives you an immediate result. You can also choose to send your recording to your physician for additional analysis. A KardiaMobile monitor is essential to record your EKG.
GEMS Mobile is an FDA-cleared mobile app used for recording and managing EKGs. It is free for download with the purchase of a HeartCheck device. When paired with a HeartCheck EKG device, GEMS Mobile allows you to view, print and send your EKG for medical review, or to share with your healthcare professional. Professionally reviewed results are available for a fee and are received in as little as 30 minutes. You also have the option to share your recordings with your health care professional.
Conclusion
If you think you may have an arrhythmia, it's important to see your doctor so he or she can diagnose and treat the condition if necessary. In the meantime, there are several things you can do to help your doctor get to the bottom of your symptoms.
One way is to use a heart rate monitor or other wearable device that can track your heart rate and heart electricity activity. Some of the best options have been presented above.
Your health care professional can help you choose
Feeling confident is important. Get all the essential information about health apps by talking to your healthcare professional.
AppGuide provides reliable information about mobile health apps that allows patients and healthcare professionals to make informed, shared decisions about using a health app to track health status or act on your priority health goals.