I bought one on Ebay for $183. It is handheld ECG and very simple. It is called Obsever. I like it, but am thinking eventually getting a more expensive one. I can see my heart rate fluctuate and watch the various waves. There are a number of good videos on YouTube that will help you learn to read the wave patterns.

I thought about purchasing one as well, then realized I would become obsessed with watching (waiting?) for extra beats. Personally, I would advise against it, at least for me. Even having the 30 day Event Monitor stressed me so much, I ended up having afib. A coincidence? Maybe, but I still think it would add just a little more stress to your life. You can check your pulse, see if it's beating normally. Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide to do and if you do, let me know how it worked out!

When I was first diagnosed about 5 yeas ago, I went out and bought a MicroLife wrist BP Monitor. In essence it measures blood pressure and heart beat rate. The reason I bought it was the heart beat rate is also read and shown in graph form while doing the read. The results are very close to the patterns shown on an EKG. I can confirm my status very quickly using this device. The manufacturer has been very good in supporting this unit. I had to have it repaired once, and recently replaced entirely, all done without charge or question. I could not ask for a better relationship.

Having said all of that, I routinely take a reading between two and three times daily. I then download the data to my laptop computer for historical file, in the event it might become useful at the Doctors office.

I haope this helps with your concerns.

I think it's a great resource - - especially for those who have "silent A-fib." I have an implantable loop recorder in my chest - - and I've
got to say it's not real accurate. I have it read in the Dr.'s office every three months, but there's always some kind of electrical interference that doesn't allow for good readings.

I'm confused about silent afib. Can you feel the erratic beat by checking your pulse? I know I can feel even one skipped beat.
Thanks for your help.

Ivory Blue, I'm like you - - my Afib is even felt by neighbors! No, just kidding, but I feel every missed and ectopic beat. I've read where some people don't know when they are in Afib - - that's not me, I know when it's coming and I know when I'm in it.

Oh same here Doug, no way I can miss an extra beat. I just saw my cardio doctor today and we discussed this. He said as long as I'm able to check my pulse, there's no need for added stress of constantly checking a monitor! I don't have silent afib and I can monitor my pulse for extra beats, so I'll take his suggestion and leave well enough alone. I'm sure it works for certain people, but I'll pass on it.

Well,

Just for fun... evidently my dr ordered me two remote monitoring devices.

One is a cardiopal SAVI... has a 3 lead hookup..

Other is a small device (forget the MFG) that is like a pack of cards size, and has four electrodes on the back. Supposedly you put it directly over your heart and click 'event' when you feel it happening.

Both use the 'call in technology' where you call a 1-800 number, and it uses audio to transmit the signal over the telephone. May be old 1980's technology, but it works.

Not sure what they saying, but guess the dr will tell me.

THX Guys,

Robert

Hi Guys,

Well just when I thought I've seen it all with AFIB, something else happens!

I am wearing the dial up 'cardio alert' monitor. You are supposed to capture symptoms, then upload (via audio) over the phone.

About 1:30 AM Sat, I was in heavy AFIB. My portable monitor (OK, a smart phone with APPs) indicated my HR was any between 140 - 160 BPM. More importantly, I felt it.

Needless to say, I captured at least 10 or more episodes over a 10 hour period. I was _certain_ I was in AFIB.

Well, after the upload, I called the DR to see what they thought. After looking it over, DR indicated there was no un-usual rhythms.

WHAT? How can that be. I _felt_ it and saw the indications on my portable monitor, yet nothing showing on the 'cardiopal' device.

Not that it matters, it broke 2 days later, and I had to send it back to the factory for replacement.

Now I'm wondering if I've gone looney tunes! Feeling it: Yes. Portable HR monitor: Yes. Cardiopal: No.

Anybody else have experience like that?

Ribert (Robert the afibert)

PS: Regarding the _feeling_ I did capture a short reading (~15 sec) 4 days before, which was substantiated by the device. I'm at the point I (think) I know what I feels like...