In late 2010, a small company called AliveCor announced an innovative way to bring advanced medical diagnostics to consumer smartphones. Specifically, the company debuted a smartphone case at the Consumer Electronics Show that was capable of taking an electrocardiogram (ECG) reading of a user’s heart activity through a pair of electrodes. AliveCor hasn’t been slacking in the last six years; new accessories and apps have hit the market regularly.
AliveCor is taking a quantum leap forward with the announcement of the medical-grade Kardia watchband for the Apple Watch. Engadget reports:
“The band works in conjunction with the new Kardia Watch app and you can take an ECG reading just by pressing a sensor on the watch strap. What’s more, AliveCor says that the band and app can detect Atrial Fibrillation, a leading cause of stroke. Everything links in with the Apple Health app as well to help paint a better picture of your overall wellness. There’s no word of pricing, but the band will be available this spring; the app is available for Android and iOS right now.”
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF), according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,
“occurs if rapid, disorganized electrical signals cause the heart’s two upper chambers to fibrillate. In AF, blood pools in the atria. It isn’t pumped completely into the heart’s two lower chambers, called the ventricles. As a result, the heart’s upper and lower chambers don’t work together as they should.” It falls under the category of arrhythmia, or “a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat.” In fact, it is the most common kind of arrhythmia there is.
AF is a common cause of stroke because it affects the volume of blood supplied to the brain. When the volume is reduced or stopped, AF sufferers can suffer a transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIAs often have short-term effects, but can be serious. When blood flow resumes after being reduced or interrupted, it can stress the blood vessels supplying the brain. When the stress is too much and the vessel ruptures, AF causes a hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common, but is often fatal.
Why the Kardia band is incredible
Time saved in diagnosing a stroke is brain saved. The faster the medical response, the less damage a stroke victim suffers. With less brain damage comes faster recovery. For many AF sufferers, the Kardia band represents a dream come true; real-time, non-invasive heart monitoring that can alert patients to a problem before they themselves are aware of one.
As always, we at Rocky McElhaney Law support all research and innovation efforts that make the world a safer place. Too many people suffer needlessly because of a missed diagnosis, or simply because emergency response took a little too long. We fight every day for the rights of victims of negligence and malpractice; if you or a loved one has suffered needlessly, the experienced Tennessee personal injury attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm can fight for your rights. Visit us in Nashville, Gallatin or Knoxville, or contact us today for a free consultation.
