London, United Kingdom, Friday 28 October 2016 – AliveCor, the leader in FDA-cleared mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) technology for mobile devices, today announces the availability of Kardia Band, the world's smallest single lead medical grade ECG. Kardia Band works with Apple Watch to provide a single lead medical grade ECG of the user's heart rhythm to identify possible Atrial Fibrillation - a leading cause of AF-related stroke in the UK.
People over 40 have a one in four lifetime risk of developing Atrial Fibrillation, which leads to a 500 percent increased risk of AF-related stroke. Despite this, research commissioned by AliveCor of 2,000 UK adults found that only 9 percent identified it as a cause of stroke, with a further 24 percent saying stroke can't be prevented and 7 percent believing stroke is just 'bad luck'.
100,000 people in the UK die annually because of heart rhythm disorders, even though 80 percent of deaths could be prevented. Only 16 percent of Britons questioned agreed that monitoring heart rhythm can help prevent AF-related stroke.
The Kardia Band measures heart rhythm with a quick touch of the watch strap and can reveal instantly if it is normal or irregular. It operates directly with Apple Watch via the Kardia app (downloadable from Apple App Store) and can immediately sync this heart rhythm analysis with other devices such as an iPad or iPhone. Results can also be directly shared with a healthcare professional or person's circle of care.
Kardia technology has the potential to save hundreds of lives a year and the mobile version, Kardia Mobile, was shown as an example of MedTech innovation by the Head of NHS England, Simon Stevens at the NHS Confederation, June 2016.
The AliveCor Kardia Band is available to pre-order from alivecor.com/kardiaband from Friday 28th October. RRP £199 / €229.
Currently not available for sale in the U.S. Pending FDA clearance.
Research carried out by Opinium in October 2016 among 2000 UK adults.