AliveCor Launches New App that Automatically Tells Patients When Their ECG Recording is Normal

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AliveCor, Inc. announced today the launch of the latest version of the AliveECG app, with two new FDA-cleared and CE-marked automated detectors that allow patients and physicians to focus on the ECGs that matter most. The new mobile app instantly detects when an ECG is either Normal or unreadable. The Normal Detector provides added peace of mind allowing patients to go about their regular daily activities knowing that no abnormalities were detected in their ECG. The Interference Detector goes a step beyond the existing enhanced filter to make sure the ECG is readable and physicians receive only the highest quality recordings.

Now anytime an ECG is taken with the AliveCor Heart Monitor, the AliveECG app will tell users if atrial fibrillation (AF), a leading cause of stroke, is present; if the ECG is normal; or if there is too much interference and another ECG should be taken. These features allow for the delivery of more efficient clinical decision-making and follow-up, as physicians are able to focus on reviewing the ECGs that are most important. All three detectors are available on iOS and Android in the US, UK, Ireland, and India, and are free for a limited time.

"With the addition of these two new Detectors, I now have an easy, clinically proven way to check my heart rhythm every day and see right away what's happening," said Paul Clarke, AliveCor user since August of 2014. "I feel extremely confident using my AliveCor Heart Monitor as I can go about my normal routine as well as after strenuous exercise without having to be worried that something is wrong with my heart, this feeling is priceless!"

"One of the most important things for our users is to provide them with confirmation that their ECG is normal, something typically only doctors could see. Our hard work on these automated detectors was validated when the FDA cleared this important diagnostic to be shared with consumers," said Euan Thomson, president and chief executive officer at AliveCor. "When we introduced the AF Detector we saw a 50% increase in consumer recordings and expect similar results with our two new detectors."

The AliveCor® Heart Monitor is intended to record, store and transfer single-channel ECG rhythms. The AliveCor Heart Monitor also displays ECG rhythms and detects the presence of atrial fibrillation and normal sinus rhythm (when prescribed or used under the care of a physician). The AliveCor Heart Monitor is intended for use by healthcare professionals, patients with known or suspected heart conditions and health conscious individuals. The device has not been tested for and it is not intended for pediatric use. The AliveCor Heart Monitor is compatible with all iOS and most Android OS mobile devices. With secure storage in the cloud, users have the ability to access their data confidentially anytime, anywhere.

The AliveCor Heart Monitor can be purchased in the U.S. at store.alivecor.comAmazon or Omron Healthcare and in the UK and Ireland at Amazon. The two new algorithms, currently free of charge and available in the AliveECG app are available to customers in the US, UK & Ireland, India, Australia and New Zealand.

About AliveCor, Inc.

AliveCor Inc. is a global innovator in mobile technology for heart health. AliveCor works with health systems to help identify patients with undiagnosed heart conditions before potentially life-threatening conditions, like stroke, can occur. AliveCor helps diagnosed patients work with their physician to monitor, track and manage their condition in new ways. AliveCor is a privately-held company headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. For more information, please visit www.alivecor.com.

Around the web

Compensation for heart specialists continues to climb. What does this say about cardiology as a whole? Could private equity's rising influence bring about change? We spoke to MedAxiom CEO Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, a veteran cardiologist himself, to learn more.

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”