EKG At-Home
Red décor and what children think of as heart-shapes are ubiquitous in February. Love is the theme, but mostly an excuse to use the time to say that which we should always say. However, if you really want to show love, to someone else OR to yourself, perhaps concentrate on a healthy heart rather than a cartoon cutout.
Throughout Aging with Pizzazz there are posts on heart health – some with common facts, others more unique. Here, let’s explore an easy and fun idea (especially for techies) – the use of a home EKG. These days it’s relatively simple.
The Workhorse Heart
Hearts are workhorses. The heart’s function is not as complex as my favorite organ, the liver, but it works continuously. Constantly pumping blood throughout the body, it never stops this amazingly high-pressured activity until we stop.
Shockingly, since the heart beats approximately 90,000 times/day, by the time we are 65 years old, it has conducted roughly 2 billion beats. I never stopped to calculate that and found the number of contractions astonishing. No wonder we should pamper the heart a bit with best practices.
Not only is the heart a hardworking organ, it is the hardest working muscle in the body. Scar tissue on the heart reacts like scars on other muscles. Being less flexible, the damaged tissue does not squeeze as well. That’s essential because we can conceptualize the beating organ exactly that way – as squeezing heart muscles to accomplish its work.
Watching for problems and giving the heart a helping hand encourages quality longevity.
Two Major Heart Concerns
Cardiac arrest is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. Nine out of 10 of the 356,000 who experience it, die. It’s more severe than a heart attack. Coronary artery disease and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) are the common causes of these deaths.
Coronary Arterial Disease
You can skip the first two paragraphs here if you don’t want to read the dry portion, but it may help you understand the situation better.
We often interchange words about arteries that are slightly different. The two terms are arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. The “arterio” one refers to arteries (the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the rest of body) becoming stiff and hard, losing their flexibility. Most readers of this blog will remember the old-time term “hardening of the arteries” which was often used to describe many conditions, including dementia.
A bit different is atherosclerosis (“athero”), which is the buildup of plaque. These plaques consist of fats and cholesterol among other things and cling to the artery walls. If you envision this as a garden hose with a clump of grass in it, you can see that these plaques will cause narrowing of the arteries and as such block blood flow. They can also burst and cause blood clots. (To add a silver-lining here, they are fairly preventable with healthy lifestyles and Exercise.)
Coronary arterial disease doesn’t have to be big in stature to create a big problem. The atherosclerosis of arteries can erupt with little outward notice. Even a 1/8th inch occlusion (or less) can blow like the recent volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island.
By the time we reach the point of concentrating on Aging with Pizzazz, we probably all have some level of plaquing. Nevertheless, good habits can keep these plaques stable and not on the verge of eruption. It may be inevitable that when we live long enough the heart can weaken. Yet it’s not inevitable when that happens. Perhaps 100? 120? Who knows? Healthy lifestyles are influential, and of course good gene stock is a plus, although out of our control.
Abnormal Heart Beating
Electrical disruption can cause chaotic heart beating. Such abnormal rhythms of the atrial are worth watching (which can be done with an EKG). Thirty (30) percent of all strokes are from A-Fib (arterial fibrillation). Pumping blood doesn’t get to the brain.
In passing, realize that a heart “flutter” is not the same as A-fib.
- A-fib – the arterial beat irregularly
- Flutter – the arterial beat regularly, but faster than normal (sometimes as much as 4x for each beat of the ventricular).
(A flutter is not the same severity as A-fib. Nor is a futter the same as “tachycardia,” which is a general term indicating a fast heart rate. Tachycardia is the rate; flutter is the sensation of the heartbeat. And to confuse us more, sometimes atrial flutter will be listed as a type of tachycardia.)
Why do an EKG at Home?
Although perhaps not quite as accurate as an “Echo” (or echocardiogram), which looks at the structure of the heart, an EKG is generally the first diagnostic tool. The gold standard for the process of monitoring the heart and abnormal beating is a 12-lead EKG. (ECG is the same tool, but spelled the newer English way. Same thing, different acronym.)
An EKG can scrutinize heart signals and help detect heart blockages or artery issues. Its sensitivity is good and results quite accurate. However, most folks don’t have a professional EKG monitor at home.
Doing an EKG at home has become easier however, even without the professional machines. But why would you want to screen yourself? There are more reasons beyond “people like gadgets.”
Using more constant monitoring provides both baseline and ongoing information. Some of the personal-use products tout a sensitivity ratio less accurate, but not much so, compared to the gold stand EKG (which is approximately 81.49%).
Self-monitoring at home can provide quicker information compared to a long wait for a doctor’s appointment (more and more common these days). That’s not to say, you won’t later share that information with your doc. Further, just like ‘white-coat syndrome’ can raise your blood pressure (B/P), Anxiety can cause an abnormal EKG. You are more relaxed at home.
TIP: resting for 10-15 minutes before an EKG,
whether at home or in doc’s office,
can help achieve a more accurate reading.
EKG at Home – What you Need
Discounting those who have the space, luxury and opportunity of purchasing a professional hospital-level diagnostic EKG monitor, there are other choices for us ‘normal’ folks. One might be suitable for you.
There are 3 “easy” options. (I say “easy” as they are easy to purchase but there is always a learning curve.)
- Portable EKG monitors, non-wearable (some need recording apparatus)
- Smart Phone app
- Special watch or wearable device
Do your own research on prices, which change frequently. Compare the prices by considering what product would be most convenient to you, and if you also wish special features, like tracking blood pressure (B/P).
Further, check details for those devices which require a subscription. It’s my opinion that you can find a fine product in any category without an on-going subscription, but certainly some offer many more features with a subscription. Read the details.
While I note some examples in each category, realize that cost and functions are what YOU want to consider for yourself. Don’t rely on the approximate costs I have occasionally mentioned (and seen myself).
Some devices are NOT for use with Pacemakers. Always double check. Many precautions are given for those with pacemakers – even regarding particular use of a cell phone. Why?
RARELY, a pacemaker can mistake interference from a smartphone’s electromagnetic field. Additionally, some experts say that the magnets in a wearable device can also be disruptive. This can disturb the pacemaker and cause the heart to beat irregularly. In extreme cases, this could cause the device to shock the heart thinking it needs to return to a normal rhythm. While I repeat the chief word “rarely,” reading precautions for any device is still highly recommended.
Different Options for a Home EKG
Items listed below are by NO means an exhaustive list of the options. However, I’ve already gone down enough rabbit-holes searching for such EKG products, so my list is going to stop with these common choices. Here are simply a few models to help you start your search.
Portables
These are small devices, generally stand alone and non-wearable. When searching for such products, include the words “non-wearable home EKG.” The ones I’ve included have good reviews.
Alivecor Kardia Mobile. 6-lead, compared to 1-lead of most wearable devices and 12-lead gold standard of a hospital model. Works with most smart phones for recording. Needs no subscription. (~$130.) Note: there is a new 12-lead model from Alivecor Kardia for health care professionals.
Sono Health. Stand alone; can work without a mobile app. No subscription needed. (Less than $100.)
Emay. Another 6-lead model, compatible with most smart phones. No subscription. (~$150.)
Omron (Model BP7900). A 1-lead EKG. Also does B/P. Uses the free Omron Connect app. (~$150.)
Smart Phone App
EKG apps (and remember you might also search for ECG apps) will generally record heart rhythm and detect for A-fib (atrial fibrillation). Many also check B/P. Realize that some smart phones have a sensor, others do not. Many times, these apps require an add-on piece of hardware. Although that may be small and inexpensive, it’s one more step to take. It’s probably fair to say that the smart phone apps are not as consistently accurate as portable devices.
As someone who often wants a product only available in Europe, it’s not surprising to me that certain apps are restricted. For instance, Fibri Checks, especially for A-Fib, compatible with FitBit and FDA ‘cleared,’ is currently not available in the US (as of this writing). Most of the smart apps will record heart rate and A-fib. One last thing, if privacy is important to you, read the fine print to see if the app collects your data.
AliveCor Kardia app. Can be downloaded for free (such as in the Google Play store). While some complain that it doesn’t record dates well, this is a common, well-received model. It can be used with both Android and Apple phones as well as tablets.
MoveSense ECG Recorder (may collect your data). Free mobile single-channel application for iOs or Android (designed to be shared with your doc or other 3rd parties). Their site says: “The Movesense ECG Recorder is intended to be used with the Movesense MD sensor, a wearable medical device for measuring single-channel ambulatory ECG.”
PulsePoint Respond can be used with both Android and iOS phones. Includes heart rate check, an interpretation of your ECG results and health recommendations (as other apps do as well). The app is free, downloaded from iPhone or Android stores.
ECG Check documents heart rate and ECG without a registration. It is good for iPhone users (only on the App store). I found less info on this program.
Welltoy. Free version and free test trial but will have limitations if you don’t use their subscription (which like others seems rather costly). Has more than the typical readings. Based on your personalized info, provides recommendations for Stress, Sleep, exercise etc. It has good reviews and generally reliable readings for the points we are covering here.
Wearable EKG Devices
“Wearables” are generally single electrode sensors, some have 2-leads. It’s not uncommon to encounter false positives (such as device recording an A-Fib which is not there.)
Apple Watch Series – FDA cleared for detecting A-Fib. Series 10 all record EKG. Depending on your interest in other features, look for deals on earlier series that also record EKG.
Samsung Watches. The same caveat as the Apple Watch Series. Depending on your wish for additional features, you can spend under $100, or closer to $400. Here is one example of an Samsung watch with EKG (ECG). It includes monitoring for EKG, A-fib and ability to share info with your health care provider
Fitbit. Both the Sense 2 and the Fitbit Charge 6 detect irregular heart rhythms and signs of A-fib. Fitbit Charge 6, less expensive (at around $160 compared to $250 for the Sense 2) has other features including EDA (electrodermal activity) to give wearer insight to stress responses.
HiCardi+. This system, chest-worn consists of a “SmartPatch, Smart View and LIveStudio” together allowing wearer to measure and record arrhythmia and cardiac event notification. Records ECG, heart rate, respiration, skin-temperature among other things. It works on a rechargeable battery using biosensors.
Garmin Smartwatch. One model here. This brand, while a bit costly, has good reviews. Certain models are often touted as especially useful for smaller wrists (a feature which used to be more difficult to find).
Google Pixel Watch. This isn’t a ‘lesser-than’ product simply because it is at the end of my list. Using “Wear OS” it is compatible with most Android phones, not just the Google Pixel phone. Just so you know, it has a built-in Fitbit app (with 6 months free of that premium system). It too has many features, and is rated well to monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels and uses an app to assess EKG heart rhythm. Prices vary greatly between versions.
FINAL THOUGHT
You might not be a gear-hound or techie, but a home EKG may be worth the exception to you. Whether you choose a non-wearable portable EKG, an app from your smart phone or a wearable EKG device, it will provide more information than you get now.
February, heart month, might be just the time to consider this for you valentine, or for you own heart. Whether referring to emotional, spiritual, social or physical aspects, we all realize the strength of the heart’s role in quality aging.
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Title picture credit: Heart & Electrocardiogram by Gordon Johnson via Pixabay 2858693_1280
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