Launch of world’s smallest single lead ECG
The AliveCor Kardia Band takes medical grade readings of heart rhythm to help detect stroke related illness
London, United Kingdom, Friday 28 October 2016 – AliveCor, the leader in FDA-cleared mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) technology for mobile devices, today announces the availability of Kardia Band, the world’s smallest single lead medical grade ECG.
Kardia Band works with Apple Watch to provide a single lead medical grade ECG of the user’s heart rhythm to identify possible Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) - a leading cause of stroke in the UK. People over 40 have a one in four lifetime risk of developing AFib, which leads to a 500 percent increased risk of stroke[1]. 100,000 people in the UK die annually because of heart rhythm disorders[2], even though it is estimated that 80 percent of these deaths could be prevented.[3]
The Kardia Band provides a tool to analyse heart rhythm with a quick touch of the watch strap and can reveal instantly if it is normal or possible AFib. It operates directly with Apple Watch via the Kardia app (downloadable from Apple App Store) and can immediately sync this heart rhythm analysis with other devices such as an iPad or iPhone. Results can also be directly shared with a healthcare professional or person’s circle of care.
Dr. Matthew Fay, a GP in Bradford, has been using the AliveCor Kardia technology at his practice and estimates it has reduced appointments related to palpitations and atrial fibrillation by 50 percent: “The huge benefit of this technology is that it saves appointments because we’re making a diagnosis in a single step. I can diagnose a patient when they first come in with heart palpitations with Kardia – which means less time and money wasted on nurse appointments and follow ups for us and the patient. Ultimately it makes for a far more efficient process for symptoms that can cause serious worry to a lot of people.”
Kardia technology has the potential to save hundreds of lives a year and the mobile version, Kardia Mobile, was shown as an example of MedTech innovation by the Head of NHS England, Simon Stevens at the NHS Confederation, June 2016. He said: “From April next year, we will add a piece to the national tariff system, specifically for new MedTech innovations which have been shown to be cost saving or help patients with supportive self-management, [as] a way of trying to fast track innovation into front line clinical practice.”
Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO of Arrhythmia Alliance welcomes the news of the Kardia Band: “This represents a big step forward for everyone – not just for patients with heart rhythm disorders but for a lot of people with as yet undiagnosed arrhythmias. Wearing a medical grade ECG on your wrist will ultimately help towards earlier detection and treatment of potentially fatal heart rhythm disorders so this has the potential to save a lot of lives. Having the control to take an ECG at anytime also means people can feel closer to their heart health which will also help take away some of their anxiety.”
More than 2.5 million people who suffer from an irregular heartbeat could benefit from the mobile heart monitor, ensuring quicker diagnosis, potentially preventing thousands of deaths, NHS officials said.
Vic Gundotra, CEO of AliveCor, said: “The challenge with arrhythmias such as Atrial Fibrillation is that many people are asymptomatic, until they develop a stroke or heart failure, by which time it is often too late. Being able to detect user’s possible AFib at the touch of a button and potentially before the development of any serious health conditions has the potential to significantly improve the lives of numerous people. And for those actively looking to protect their health, Kardia Band provides assurance that they are keeping a close eye – with the help of medical grade technology.”
The AliveCor Kardia Band is available to pre-order from alivecor.com/kardiaband from Friday 28th October. RRP £199 / €229.
Currently not available for sale in the U.S. Pending FDA clearance.
For more information, please contact:
Maddie.donnan@brands2life.com 020 7592 1200
About AliveCor, Inc.
AliveCor, Inc. is pioneering the creation of FDA-cleared ‘machine learning’ techniques to enable proactive heart care and is recognized around the world for transforming cardiac care. The FDA-cleared Kardia Mobile is the most clinically validated mobile ECG solution on the market and is recommended by leading cardiologists and used by people worldwide for accurate ECG recordings. This simple to use mobile device and app-based service provides instant analysis for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal sinus rhythm in an ECG. AliveCor was recognized as a 2015 Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and one of the 50 Smartest Companies in 2015 by the MIT Technology Review (#14). AliveCor is a privately-held company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. For more information, please visit alivecor.com.
[2] NHS Choices