Just had a heart attack

Re:Just had a heart attack by robbiep on Monday November 03, 2014 @09:20AM (#8550850)

the technology is very simple and very old so without knowing what sort of machines they are (if they are like [1] then they are more for monitoring abberant rhythms than detecting infarcts or ischaemia - it doesn't have enough leads to properly detect a heart attack) they may do an ok job; the real question is of benefit. There is little benefit to be obtained from regular ECG in an otherwise healthy person. You can't/shouldn't perform a home exercise stress test as you need to be in a hospital environment so that you could be resuscitated if things go badly.

For data collection or your own interest, a proper 12 lead ECG is a great reference item; but again if the machine is like [1] you are only going to get this simple trace that doesn't tell you much; even serial ECG's on a normal healthy patient (or even someone with moderate heart disease) will be almost perfectly normal day to day, month to month at rest.

So I would be inclined to suggest that it is a bit of a waste of money from any attempt at home diagnostics, however if you were concerned about your cardiovascular risk you should discuss it with your doctor.

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Real-Handheld-Portable-Monitor...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Just had a heart attack by tonyplee on Monday November 03, 2014 @11:40AM (#8551706)

Let's say if we can get (build) a proper 12 lead ECG with proper home/protable monitor.

Is there such thing already?

Collect all 12 leads signal via bluetooth connection to a Iphone/Mobile device.

Whenever I do a 30,60 minutes exercise in the GYM, the system will collect all the data and store them in my personal cloud.

Whenever I did annual checkout with my PCP, I will go over the data/chart with him/her and see if there are any abnormalities that might trigger any concerns.

If they spot any potential issue, than we have more info to do proper stress tests in the hospital and lab setting.

Would this kind of device/process be valuable from your ( Doctor's ) point of view?

BTW, I have background in embedded system, cloud backend, and some mobile app, if any doctors think these kind of monitoring devices are useful. I can definitively love partner up working on such project. My mom suffered from heart attack a few years back - so this topic trigger a personal nerve for me.

[ Parent | on HN ]