Uncategorized

VitalSignum connects your phone with your heart Born from a personal need, the Finnish Beat2Phone electrocardiogram (ECG) device and app has brought heart monitoring to the next level. Monitoring heart rhythm via ECG tests is nothing new – most of us probably recognise the image of a beeping heart curve on a hospital monitor if not from our own experience, then at least from a film. However, checking a person’s electrical heart activity on their phone while standing next to them in their office is another story. Read the article here:...

Self-detection of atrial fibrillation in an aged population: three-year follow-up of the LietoAF intervention study. Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often asymptomatic and undiagnosed until an ischaemic stroke occurs. An irregular pulse is a key manifestation of AF. We assessed whether pulse self-palpation is feasible in screening of AF. Methods Altogether 205 residents of Lieto municipality aged ≥75 years were randomized in 2012 to receive brief education on pulse palpation focusing on evaluating rhythm regularity. Self-detected pulse irregularity and new AF diagnoses were recorded, and the subjects’ quality of life and use of health care services were assessed during a three-year follow-up. Results The subjects’ median age was 78.2 [3.8] years, and 89 (43.4%) were men. Overall, 139 (68%) subjects had initial good motivation/capability for regular palpation. At four months, 112 (80.6%) subjects with good and 26 (39.4%) with inadequate motivation/capability palpated their pulse daily. At 12 months, 120 (58.5%) and at 36 months, 69 (33.7%) subjects palpated their...

Beat2phone application supports ECG and other cardiac signal monitoring during sports activities. For outdoor exercise the following data is obtained: ECG Instantaneous, average, maximum heart rate, and heart rate histogram GPS data: speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude (from phone pressure sensor) Time and distance travelled Instantaneous, average, and maximum speed Kilocalories burned Stride rate Performance index: distance progressed in one heart beat The course travelled is plotted and shown on map in real time tracked with heart rate and GPS data. All data can be also later analyzed. An orthostatic test protocol is implemented. In the orthostatic test mode, the application first instructs the person to rest in supine position for 5 minutes, and then to stand up and stay standing for 4 minutes. The average resting and standing heart rate and heart rate variability (RMSSD) are automatically computed, displayed, and stored into a file on SD card. The history of...

Arrhythmia's are usually harmless and everyone has them - Specialist: over measurement can even make it worse. Feelings of arrhythmia are quite usual with active people doing sports and exercise. Mostly these feelings are quite harmless. Reason for concerns is if these feelings / symptoms take place after or during the exercise. It feels like your heart is skipping a beat or otherwise has unpleasant sensation during the beat. When this is the case of harmless arrhythmia which one does not need to worry and when one should see the doctor? The most common type of arrhythmia are additional heart beats which are either atrio- or ventricular related. These additional beats are quite usual and they are considered to be part of normal behavior of the heart. According to Anna-Mari Hekkala, the chief medical officer of the Finish Cardio association,”all people have them. Only if adult person has over 500 additional beat...