Home ECG monitor
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- KardiaMobile 6L personal EKG. Best for: Short recordings to share with a provider. See options on Amazon
- Single-lead personal EKG monitor. Best for: Quick checks when symptoms come and go. See options on Amazon
- Blood pressure monitor with EKG. Best for: People tracking blood pressure and rhythm. See options on Amazon
What an ECG shows
MedlinePlus says that with an EKG recording, your provider can see how fast your heart is beating, whether the rhythm is steady or irregular, and the strength and timing of the electrical signals passing through each part of your heart. The results cannot diagnose a heart condition on their own, MedlinePlus says, but together with other tests and your medical history they help providers diagnose and monitor conditions such as arrhythmia.
MedlinePlus also notes the EKG does not send any electricity into your body; it only records electrical signals from your heart.
Home devices and the FDA
The FDA regulates electrocardiograph software for over-the-counter use under 21 CFR 870.2345. The rule describes this software as creating, analyzing and displaying ECG data that can provide information for identifying cardiac arrhythmias, and states that it is not intended to provide a diagnosis. Its special controls require that users can correctly interpret the output and understand when to seek medical care, and that labeling include situations in which the device may not perform as expected and guidance on interpreting results.
Some personal ECG devices are also cleared through the FDA 510(k) process. For example, FDA records list AliveCor's KardiaMobile 6L as cleared under K220350 in May 2022, classified as an electrocardiograph transmitter and receiver.
Home ECG vs clinic monitors
| Type | How it records | Details from MedlinePlus and NHLBI |
|---|---|---|
| Standard EKG | Electrodes on arms, legs and chest in a clinic | A snapshot over a very short time; takes a few minutes |
| Holter monitor | Worn on a belt or strap with chest electrodes | Records continuously, usually for a day or two |
| Event monitor | Worn or carried; records on a button press or when it detects abnormal activity | Used for weeks to months; some send data to a provider |
| Implantable monitor | Placed under the chest skin in minor surgery | Can track heart activity for years |
MedlinePlus says a regular EKG may miss heart symptoms that come and go, which is why providers use longer monitors. A personal device lets you take a short recording when you notice symptoms, but it is not a replacement for the monitor your provider orders.
Who might use one
- People screening for atrial fibrillation with their provider. NHLBI says screening may be part of regular care if you are 65 or older or have other risk factors.
- People with symptoms that come and go. NHLBI says portable EKG monitors can help assess symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness that happen outside the office.
- People asked to share recordings. NHLBI notes these devices may let you send data to your provider by email.
Ask your provider before you buy whether a home recording would help and what format they can review.
Getting a useful recording
- Read the labeling. FDA special controls require labeling to explain what the device measures, situations in which it may not work as expected, and how to interpret results.
- Check phone requirements. The same rule requires labeling to list hardware and operating system requirements.
- Note your symptoms. MedlinePlus says people wearing a Holter monitor may keep a symptom diary; noting what you felt with each home recording helps your provider in the same way.
- Medicines. MedlinePlus says some medicines can affect EKG accuracy, so tell your provider about everything you take, but do not stop any medicine unless told to.
For a related home check, see our upper arm blood pressure monitor guide and our pulse oximeter guide.
Limits to keep in mind
A home ECG records a short strip. The FDA rule says over-the-counter ECG software is not intended to provide a diagnosis, and MedlinePlus says an EKG alone cannot diagnose a heart condition. A normal home reading does not rule out a problem, and an abnormal one needs review by your provider, who may order other heart tests before making a diagnosis.
What to look for when you buy
KardiaMobile 6L personal EKG
Best for: Short recordings to share with a provider
FDA records list it as cleared under 510(k) K220350.
Watch out: Not a diagnosis; review recordings with your provider.
See options on AmazonSingle-lead personal EKG monitor
Best for: Quick checks when symptoms come and go
NHLBI says personal devices can record your heart's rhythm similar to the way an EKG does.
Watch out: Check the phone and operating system requirements on the label.
See options on AmazonBlood pressure monitor with EKG
Best for: People tracking blood pressure and rhythm
Pairs a home blood pressure reading with a short EKG strip in one device.
Watch out: Follow the cuff and recording instructions on the label.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Can a home ECG monitor diagnose AFib?
- No. FDA rules say over-the-counter ECG software is not intended to provide a diagnosis; your provider makes it.
- How is a home ECG different from a Holter monitor?
- A Holter records continuously for a day or two; a home device takes short recordings when you choose.
- Does an EKG send electricity into my body?
- No. MedlinePlus says it only records electrical signals from your heart.
- Who might benefit from a home ECG?
- People whose provider wants recordings of symptoms like palpitations that come and go.
- Can medicines affect ECG results?
- MedlinePlus says some can; tell your provider what you take but do not stop medicines on your own.
Sources
- Electrocardiogram (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Atrial Fibrillation: Diagnosis (nhlbi.nih.gov), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- 21 CFR 870.2345 Electrocardiograph software for over-the-counter use (ecfr.gov), eCFR
- 510(k) K220350, KardiaMobile 6L (accessdata.fda.gov), U.S. Food and Drug Administration