Kardia interference

My nurse navigator recommended I get a Kardia device so I can send her EKG graphs. She said a two lead version would be adequate. But over half the time, I get an error message for interference.

When I asked the nurse navigator for advice, she gave me a hand out to help eliminate the problem. Did not help.

Do the six lead Kardia devices do any better on this front?

Also, I asked when I should be taking these readings and sending them in, but did not register a clear answer. I gather I am supposed to send one once a week. Not sure if I should be sending in samples when I am in NSR, or when I have an arrhythmia. Or just once a week at the same time regardless. Don't know why the nurse navigator wouldn't be more clear on these fairly simple questions. She did give me the sheet with detailed instructions on how to get them the data.

I go back to Austin in 3 weeks for my TEE followup on my Watchman device.

I'd send samples when you are not in NSR. The single lead device uses sound to connect/transmit data. The 6-lead uses bluetooth. As I recall the wallet single lead does as well. I have the wallet, but never use it. I've used the basic single lead since 2012. I do readings in a quiet place with the dvice close to the phone, but not touching.

Sit down at a desk that isn't close to large electrical devices (refrigerators, etc) or noise sources (TV, fans, etc). Place the Kardia in front of you on the desk. Place your phone on the desk a few inches away. Now lick your index and middle fingers on both hands and apply them to the Kardia. Hold still. Don't talk or move.

That should produce a perfect recording. The first few seconds may be noisy, but that's okay as long as it settles down.

As for what to send each week, what I did was just do a recording every Monday and send that. Mainly they just want a documentation trail of your progress. If I experienced an afib episode at another time, I would go ahead and send that too.

Don't know how loing you've had yoiur Karedia, but you could also try replacing the battery.

I've gone thorugh a number of these over the years - primarity by dropping them on a hard survace, like tile. I've found you can get a new one off ebay for around $31 I've done thiis a number of times to replace the ones I've dropped & broken. [www.ebay.com]

Thanks for the replies. I have followed all the tips for avoiding interference, but still get no readable result more than half the time.

I turn all electronics off, even the LED lights in the room, wet my fingers, tried different rooms and chairs and poses. Still get no readable result over half the times. Gets pretty frustrating.

I have fairly thick skin on my hands. Wonder if that is the problem.

Also curious to hear more opinions on the blue tooth connected Kardia. A "sound" connection on the simple Kardia seems problematic.

You could have a defective unit or one that needs a new battery.

Yeah, I think there's definitely something wrong with that device. Batteries are cheap so start there.

I've had several of both, and yes, he two-lead version has more inteference and connectivity issues than the 6L. In general, the tech is different between the two. I'd call Kardia and trade it in for a 6L if possible. Just better all around.

Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/2026 02:25AM by mjamesone.

I have never had a problem. Once I forgot to get away from my computer. Maybe the company will replace it if the battery is still okay-?

I go to a jeweler to replace the battery.

I have the Kardia 6 lead and it fails to make it through a 30 second session without interference from some unknown source. sometimes I have to retry 4 or 5 times to get a good read...I am always in afib....I have found better results if i turn out all lights in the room and have my smartphone near the device. So annoying that I dont maintain a daily log.