WATCH THAT RECORDS YOUR HEART BEAT

ATRIAL fibrillation (AF) is a common rhythm abnormality when the heart’s upper chambers contract randomly. It is diagnosed and monitored with an electrocardiogram (ECG) which measures the flow of electricity in the heart.

THE TEST: The KardiaBand (£99, plus £9.99 monthly subscription, alivecor.com) is an accessory for the Apple Watch that allows people to record ‘medical grade’ ECG readings on the go.

ECGs are normally recorded in hospitals, however, sometimes abnormal rhythms aren’t present during a hospital appointment. The KardiaBand app continuously monitors heart rate and when it detects abnormal activity, it notifies the wearer to record an ECG, which they do by placing their finger on a pad on the side of the watch for 30 seconds. The result is ‘either normal’ or ‘possible AF’. EXPERT OPINION: ‘This would really help to speed up diagnosis and show doctors whether patients truly have AF or other rhythm problems,’ says Professor Pier Lambiase, a cardiologist from UCL and Barts Heart Centre. ‘It could also be used to show whether treatments are working.’ VERDICT: Worth it.