If you have a condition affecting your heart rhythm or rate, investing in an electrocardiogram, also known as ECG or EKG, might be a good idea. A personal use EKG is a useful tool designed to notify you of an irregular heart function. An EKG helps measure your heart’s electrical activity.
If you have a heart problem or related symptoms, they can affect your heart’s electrical activity. Your doctor may recommend an EKG, and you might need to get a heart monitor that will help you ensure no serious issues can affect your heart’s rhythm. However, many people often ask if home EKG monitors are accurate. This article discusses everything you need to know about home EKG monitors.
Significance of EKG Monitors
With new technology, you can monitor the rhythm of your heart using a smart device you can wear on your hand. Different types of EKG monitors allow you to regularly check your heart’s performance. These tools alert you if you have heart palpitations, or if your heart rate is irregular, too slow, or too fast. An EKG also tells your doctor if there are signs of damage to the heart or other factors that can put it at risk.
How Accurate Is an EKG Monitor?
Although a home EKG monitor is a useful tool that gives your doctor general information about your heart, it is not as accurate as a clinical EKG machine. This instrument helps your doctor manage your condition, but it cannot be a replacement for medical care as prescribed by your doctor. The following are some of the pros and cons of EKG monitors.
Pros
Provides Signs About Medical Conditions
Your heart rate is a critical sign that shows medical conditions that may require attention. For instance, a home EKG monitor can signal serious problems like blood clots in the lungs, or the heart rate might be faster or slower than normal. Irregular heart rhythms require urgent diagnosis and treatment because they can be life-threatening.
Additionally, home EKGs can detect issues like atrial fibrillation and long QT syndromes, which can cause serious complications. If you have heart problems, you can use your home device to accurately detect some conditions that can threaten your health.
Other Devices are Reliable
Different types of EKG devices are available on the market; some are very reliable. Some of the tools worn on the wrist have accurate sensors that can detect serious heart rhythm problems. Therefore, you need to shop around to get the best brand that can enhance accuracy in collecting data about the functions of your heart. Comb through customer reviews and consult your healthcare provider to get the best home EKG monitor.
Cons
Although EKG devices provide useful information about the functions of your heart, they also have downsides. The following are some of the drawbacks of these home monitors.
Low Accuracy
EKG monitors cannot substitute medical care because they provide more limited information than standard tests conducted in the doctor’s office or hospital. For example, they cannot detect something significant like a heart attack or other issues like atrial fibrillation.
Therefore, monitoring the heart rate to detect atrial fibrillation is not recommended. Only a clinical test can help detect issues that can pose a threat to your health.
Gives False Alarms
Even when you have a healthy heart, many people often experience periods of slower or faster heart rates likely to trigger alerts on the EKG monitor. As a result, this can cause unnecessary anxiety and you may end up seeking treatment for a non-existent disease.
On the other hand, a home EKG can give false reassurance where you might end up believing your heart is healthy, yet it is not. An EKG performed at home is not the best solution for screening your overall heart health.
Interpreting the data collected from your device can be a challenge. It is a good idea to record regular readings on your device to help your doctor diagnose if you have any problem that needs attention.
Limited Reliability
One of the main drawbacks of home EKG monitors is that they are not very accurate. Different factors can affect their accuracy, impacting your health in the long run. For instance, the following issues can affect data readings on the monitor:
- Movement
- Tattoos
- Poor fit (too tight or loose)
- Sweating
- Lost contact with sensors
The monitor can fail to read a regular heart rhythm and flags it as abnormal. It can also flag an irregular heart rhythm as normal. As a result, you may end up ignoring a condition that can degenerate into a big problem. These home EKG monitors are not always right, so it is vital to seek professional assistance to diagnose the problem accurately.
For severe issues, it is a good idea to visit a doctor so they can perform proper tests on your heart to diagnose often serious conditions like heart pumping, oxygen saturation, pulse, and abnormal murmurs. Remember, home monitoring devices cannot detect heart attacks or strokes. Therefore, proper medical care is recommended if you have a heart-related disease.
Make sure you seek medical care when you experience the following conditions:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Continuous palpitations
- Extended weakness or dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Unusual sounds from the heart
When your doctor screens you, they will recommend an EKG, but you need to regularly go for reviews. Make sure you record all the readings from your device to present them to your doctor for professional interpretation.
The Bottom Line
Heart monitoring is critical, especially when you have a heart-related condition. For instance, a personal EKG monitor is convenient for checking your heart rate and rhythm. However, their accuracy is determined by different factors. Therefore, these devices cannot substitute professional medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider if your home EKG (or ECG) monitor detects an abnormal heart rhythm. Although this amazing technology is not always accurate, it is crucial for people with certain circumstances. It is vital to consult your doctor first when you have heart problems so you are able to get the best device.