Kardia Band to Measure Heart Rate

Medical smartphone accessory company AliveCor has come out with a medical-grade EKG band to the Apple Watch known as Kardia Band where users place their fingers on metallic plates to examine their heart-rate. The detector analyses heart rate and rhythm normality and also tells you when to retake an EKG so physicians receive only the highest quality recordings.

The smart watch function with a small, integrated metal sensor in the band. They communicate with the company’s app to take wrist-worn EKG readings. Therefore, users have to navigate to the Apple Watch-compatible Kardia app and start reading by placing their thumb on the sensor and wait for the 30-second for analysis to complete. Users can also speak to the Apple Watch’s microphone while analysis is being done.

The Kardia band is a smartwatch and not a replacement of fitness tracker. But this device has a medical grade heart rate monitor that has the potential to detect heart related issues like palpitations, shortness of breath and irregular heart rate which could increase the risk of a stroke or dietary habits that could be linked to heart-rate fluctuations.

The recordings are collected and stored in the iPhone version of the Kardia app and can be viewed later. It can also be sent to a patient’s preferred doctor, if you find any panic activity during a reading. Further, the app can be connected to Apple’s stock Health app and hence users can integrate their EKG readings in an established fitness data like step count and calorie intake. It bolster an overall assessment of your well-being.

Technology

The type of technology used in this band is called photoplethysmography. This is an optical heart rate sensor which is based on technology that produces a reading by flashing lights against the skin to detect blood flow. This similar technology can be find on other trending fitness wearable.

The Kardia band also uses electrocardiogram (EKG) technology and detects the electrical activity produced by a heartbeat. This is the most accurate way to record heart rate activity till date and is used by the medical industry. It can also be found inside heart rate monitor chest straps.

Problems

The question is on its ability to accurately detect heart rate activity. It may have problem detecting heart rates to those having a tattoo. It can interfere with the readings and may not get the precise right fit which is vital for reliable beats per minute readings from the Watch

But overall, Kardia Band for Apple Watch is a medical-grade mobile EKG solution that provides on-demand heart monitoring and app-based services. The features included are instant detection of atrial fibrillation and/or normal heart rhythm and the ability to communicate results directly to your doctor. Hence, Doctors can use Kardia Band’s heart rhythm recordings and instant detection results and you don’t have to regularly visit doctors to get information about diagnosis and treatment plans.