I was under the impression that I couldn't need to buy any type of additional equipment to use the app... the required sensor is kot convenient or easy to use.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from alivecor.comBy AliveCor Customer Care, June 5, 2025
We are sorry for the confusion. On our product pages, we do note that a compatible smartphone or tablet is required to use the KardiaMobile sensor and app. If you need help finding a suitable device or tips on using your KardiaMobile, please contact our support team at support@alivecor.com or (855) 338-8800.
The KardiaCare Membership provides valuable information. However, the additional descriptions of various EKG abnormalities is something that should be included without Membership, and the additional functionality provided is rarely used. Therefore, the Membership holds critical information hostage, and the additional functionality acts more as an 'insurance policy'. As such, Membership provides value but should not cost as much as it does.
I have SVE with SVT and SVB in Afib and in Sinus, So.... Guess What? All those acronyms are not detected without a subscriptions. I have NO, ZERO, NADA interest in their doctors, I already have a good doc. If I had known any of this I would never have bought it
They don't tell you that you need the membership to see the rest of the report for a 6L Kardia Mobile. I didn't find that out until I bought the thing and tried to see everything. So they get you coming and going. I'm hoping this thing is accurate, but I've already seen discrepancies with my Apple Watch with heart rate. I can be in full blown tachycardia and this thing says normal (so there's a 5-10 bpm difference at times by the time the reading happens). It seems to average the heart rate at the end, which in my view doesn't give my doctor the full scope of what was happening during the event. I make notes, but you'd think this thing would say 95-105 bpm so you know the range that was going on while you were taking the reading. I'm not happy I have to pay extra for the membership. My doctor asked me to get this thing. Yeah you can use your HSA card, but its still coming out of my pocket. And I couldn't use the HSA for the membership, that's linked through your Apple ID and card on file.
Accuracy is a must when dealing with issues of the heart. This device fits the bill. I have both the Kardia 6L and the Kardia Card. I have verified both devices while at cardiologist office getting a clinical (12L) EKG. And used both while hospitalized and the doctors were surprised as to the efficiency and accuracy of both devices. Battery life is awesome my KardiaCard is 26 months and battery is 92% 6L is same age and battery is at 74%
Pros: Easy to use, Mobile App (Kardia), Comfort, Durability