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They lost me at $99/year subscription fee. I hate subscriptions. I guess for those who have heart problems, this is a good option.

I don't understand why Apple doesn't get into the medical device field. Apple has plenty of money to buy these startups and build a medical-device unit. Otherwise, HealthKit is going the way of HomeKit, which means the competitors will create much better solutions. Apple is coming up with great ideas, but the unwillingness to follow up and instead licensing access to third parties results in mediocre experience. Where is the famed ecosystem, Apple?
FDA approval for medical devices doesn't defer to yearly product releases.;) The amount of liability alone should scare Apple away from that idea. They received over 2 dozen lawsuits for a battery issue. Can you imagine the outrage over a medical snafu?
 
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But only if there is a medical reason for monitoring for afib.
Why else would someone buy a kardiaband if they didn't have a reason for monitoring afib or potassium levels? Trying to gauge the value of the subscription for someone with no issue seems nonsensical. If you have no issue, why would you subscribe or buy the band. Sort of axiomatic.

The argument you're trying to make is an argument that doesn't need to be made.
 
Why else would someone buy a kardiaband if they didn't have a reason for monitoring afib or potassium levels? Trying to gauge the value of the subscription for someone with no issue seems nonsensical. If you have no issue, why would you subscribe or buy the band. Sort of axiomatic.

The argument you're trying to make is an argument that doesn't need to be made.

No, it does. There is a huge market composed of "the worried well."
 
I can't understand why all those without medical issues are so quick to criticize the need for for a subscription. This thread should only be of interest to those with the need for the monitoring, all others should stick to expressing their opinions about all other things Apple.

I bought a KardioBand based on my older brother's A-Fib condition, thinking that it might run in the family. He uses the mobile device by AliveCor and heart rate apps. They have been very helpful in monitoring his irregular heart beats.

I had several problems with the band version. First, it was difficult for me to get reading on a consistent basis. The band use sensors on the front and back of the device that snaps into their band. It uses an audible signal to communicate with the watch. I don't know if it was due to the arthritis in my hands or just poor contact. Second, the app controls the watch and takes readings every 10 seconds or so which wears the battery down so that watch doesn't last a full day. Third, I didn't like the clasp on the band, harder to put on than Apple's with my hands. I talked to my cardiologist and showed him my Cardiogram results and he didn't think the EKG was necessary. I am going in for a stress test in a couple of months just in case. I am sure AliveCor will keep refining their great products.

AliveCor was very understanding and refunding my money without question. Product is well made and very novel. They have put a lot of effort into their devices and app. Any one with a heart condition knows this is serious stuff, and I applaud them for their efforts. I think this the future for Apple and third party companies to develop more and more life saving products. I suggest leaving the snarky comments to the HomePod or iPhone vs Samsung.
 
This stuff is interesting, BUT...

There is a big difference between a two-lead EKG and a twelve-lead EKG (the kind with all the wires you get in your doctor's office).

The Apple Watch is not designed for this. To use the AliveCor band, you give up swimming (it's not waterproof) and activity monitoring, since it needs the watch to be in workout mode to take your heart rate every 5 seconds. You also give up battery life for obvious reasons. Finally, the top of the wrist isn't the easiest or best place to get any kind of reading, and it fails if you're dark-skinned or inked.

It's very promising, but it's nowhere near ready to be a product. Maybe someday...
 
This stuff is interesting, BUT...

There is a big difference between a two-lead EKG and a twelve-lead EKG (the kind with all the wires you get in your doctor's office).

The Apple Watch is not designed for this. To use the AliveCor band, you give up swimming (it's not waterproof) and activity monitoring, since it needs the watch to be in workout mode to take your heart rate every 5 seconds. You also give up battery life for obvious reasons. Finally, the top of the wrist isn't the easiest or best place to get any kind of reading, and it fails if you're dark-skinned or inked.

It's very promising, but it's nowhere near ready to be a product. Maybe someday...

Full disclosure: I have a-fib and used the AliveCor KardiaMobile on my previous phone. I was almost never able to get normal reading from it, despite the fact that my heart was in sinus rhythm.
 
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We're at the precipice of many great and wonderful things from the :apple: Watch.

Well from smart wearables in general. Apple got the form factor right, even though the functionality isn’t there. Koodos for this company for innovating.

However? Apple isn’t really helping too much. It’s not like they are allowing third party access to the hidden connector. Remember, Appl has focused on fashion, and this band works on android devices too.

My worry is that real innovative firms just get swallowed by the big 4, and get drowned by the big 4’s leadership.

Hopefully other companies will continue to focus on health applications, and not on Animojis!
 
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Hope people are paying attention to Apple making a big push for health.

This will lead to further loyalty and domination. People will trust Apple to monitor their daily health.
 
They lost me at $99/year subscription fee. I hate subscriptions. I guess for those who have heart problems, this is a good option.

I don't understand why Apple doesn't get into the medical device field. Apple has plenty of money to buy these startups and build a medical-device unit. Otherwise, HealthKit is going the way of HomeKit, which means the competitors will create much better solutions. Apple is coming up with great ideas, but the unwillingness to follow up and instead licensing access to third parties results in mediocre experience. Where is the famed ecosystem, Apple?


No different than paying for health insurance IMO and a lot cheaper too.
 
$99 is a bargain to get constant monitoring of serious health concerns.

You walk into a Dr office today and pay $150 for them to tell you to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
 
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For the most part, that is true. But like with most other electronic gadgets, there will be a very small percentage who buy and use the device without a known history.
A thought. I purchased Apple Watch, a couple apps, no history whatsoever of issues. Did a visit to doctor, mentioned my Apple Watch and Apps reporting some variations and here is the data. Felt great, just wondering. Immediate testing, could have been a big deal, now problem managed. Those of you that have an Apple Watch may want to get more familiar with the Health App. Very informative for problems and to better workouts. Example Heartrate Varibility. The Apple Watch and others are more then time and messaging. Good investment in your overall health at a good price point.
 
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A thought. I purchased Apple Watch, a couple apps, no history whatsoever of issues. Did a visit to doctor, mentioned my Apple Watch and Apps reporting some variations and here is the data. Felt great, just wondering. Immediate testing, could have been a big deal, now problem managed. Those of you that have an Apple Watch may want to get more familiar with the Health App. Very informative for problems and to better workouts. Example Heartrate Varibility. The Apple Watch and others are more then time and messaging. Good investment in your overall health at a good price point.
I agree. I feel the same way about my Apple Watch.
 
I was just last week talking to my pet's cardiologist about AliveCor. He has a heart murmur that needs to be monitored but when he goes to the doctor he gets too stressed and so they can't take an EKG (only an echo). This same company makes a home meter that can be attached to an iPhone and there is also a modified vet version of it available.

I dont understand that...if your pets HR increases from stress than an echo is far more complicated than an ECG. Wonder what the cost difference is.....
 
This stuff is interesting, BUT...

There is a big difference between a two-lead EKG and a twelve-lead EKG (the kind with all the wires you get in your doctor's office).

The Apple Watch is not designed for this. To use the AliveCor band, you give up swimming (it's not waterproof) and activity monitoring, since it needs the watch to be in workout mode to take your heart rate every 5 seconds. You also give up battery life for obvious reasons. Finally, the top of the wrist isn't the easiest or best place to get any kind of reading, and it fails if you're dark-skinned or inked.

It's very promising, but it's nowhere near ready to be a product. Maybe someday...

It's a product to people who need it, not for you obviously...
 
Hypochondria would fall under their "reasoning" for needing the device. The argument still falls flat since they (the hypochondriacs) would find "value" in the band and subscription.

So here's where we are, and that's ok?

Comment from Dr. James Stein, a cardiovascular researcher and professor at UWI:

The problem it solves is that some people have expendable income and there are other people who want that money. Many people with expendable income have health-related anxiety, so this product enables their desire to spend money and achieve a temporary but false piece of mind, since random monitoring has not been proven to prevent any adverse events or improve health outcomes, and is very unlikely to based on previous research. From the physician standpoint, we already have wearable monitors that offer multi-lead recordings and sophisticated analysis that are prescribed under medical supervision and usual covered by insurance. As anyone who has ever owned a heart rate monitor and every doctor knows, extra beats and a variety of causes of heart rate “irregularity” are common but lead, in susceptible patients, to anxiety that gets transferred to their doctor, who inevitably will order more tests. The big winners, other than Alive Cor, will be hospitals, monitoring companies, and makers of DOACs. Maybe trial lawyers, too. Sigh.
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Hope people are paying attention to Apple making a big push for health.

This will lead to further loyalty and domination. People will trust Apple to monitor their daily health.

I'm not sure whether you're being serious or facetious. Yes, Apple is seeking to profit in the health sector. But on the other hand, at least at the current time, I trust Apple a whole lot more in just about every aspect of this area than anyone else, especially companies like Google.
 
So here's where we are, and that's ok?

Comment from Dr. James Stein, a cardiovascular researcher and professor at UWI:


[doublepost=1520793058][/doublepost]

I'm not sure whether you're being serious or facetious. Yes, Apple is seeking to profit in the health sector. But on the other hand, at least at the current time, I trust Apple a whole lot more in just about every aspect of this area than anyone else, especially companies like Google.
I am being serious. I have more confidence in Apple to monitor my health vitals and keep my data secure than any other company.
 
So here's where we are, and that's ok?

Comment from Dr. James Stein, a cardiovascular researcher and professor at UWI:

Well Dr. James Stein old school for sure. Bet he has a good number of articles on the negative impacts the internet and sites like WebMD cause. Any qualified Doctor can easily tell the difference between irregular and problem. Dr. Stein must be associated with a good number of ill qualified Doctors. The issue you bring up may come to play if one disagrees with the Doctor and insists there is a problem when told there is not. The Apple Watch is just like any other medical evaluating device, like a thermometer or blood pressure. All gather data, interpretation, qualified Doctor needed.
 
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