FAQs

From Heart Health Initiative

• Do you need your Family Physician to approve use of one of these?

If you already have a Heart condition or believe you may have a problem with your heart, you should always consult your Family Physician, but you do not have to visit your Family Physician to buy ONE ECG – they can be purchased from our website. Your Family Physician is likely to be already using ECG screening technology on his/her patients to help them diagnose suspected heart conditions.

• So how do I find out if I’ve got a problem – most people will not have the first idea about how to interpret the results?

You will need to use a computer to transfer the ECG reading from the monitor, so that you can send it through the our website to our Heart screening area. Experts at the center will review the report and aim to respond within 24 hours. The expert report you receive is straightforward to read and provides an easy-to-understand summary.

• What happens if the cardiology center discovers a serious problem?

Our Physicians will advise the right course of action.

• If whilst I’m using the device and it spots a serious problem, will it alert me automatically?

   No, it still requires you to transfer the ECG and send it off for analysis. 
   If you are feeling unwell or have chest pains or  serious discomfort.
   You should always contact your Family Physician or call 911.

• Why not? If it can detect all these problems why can’t it tell me straight away?

The device actually does give an immediate test analysis, however to really understand the relevance of this test we offer the report reviewing service, so an expert assessment can be made by an Heart specialist.

• How often do I need to get a analysis?

As this is the first service of its kind there is no clinical standard to say how often you should use the device. If you currently have no diagnosed heart condition, but are concerned about a family history of heart disease we recommend you use the device a minimum of 6 times a year. If more frequent use is reassuring, then it does no harm to take more tests. If you have a heart condition, or perhaps have had a heart attack or stroke, then you may wish to take more frequent tests to help rehabilitate your cardiac health and monitor your condition, in which case we would recommend you do this in conjunction with your doctor.

• Do I pay extra for the reports?

Yes you do via a monthly subscription service and we different packages.

• Can my family use the device and if so how will my ECG report be distinguished from that of family members?

The report requires that you insert the user’s name. Each report is unique and has its own numbering system, but it does rely upon each family member to insert their own name for their test.They will have to purchase individual analysis.

• Are there any health risks associated with sharing the device?

Not at all – we simply recommend people do not share the electrode pads and always use a fresh set before each reading.

• Is there any limit on how often I should use the device?

There is no limit and there are absolutely no safety issues regarding the use of the device so you can use it as often as you like. Some will use it to ascertain if they have a problem others will use it more frequently to help them better manage an existing problem. There will also be some people who will use the device simply to reassure themselves that they don’t have a heart problem.

• How easy is the machine to use and will I need any medical help to use it?

It is very simple to use and you need no medical assistance or knowledge to take a reading – full instructions are provided in the User Manual on the CD-ROM which comes with your instrument and also on our developers wiki.

• Can I make any sense of the ECG trace?

To a certain extent. The software allows you to transfer the ECG trace onto your computer to get a summary report of the cardiac events recorded up to an 8 hour period. Those people looking at the reading on a regular basis may get an understanding of the general look and feel of their heart rhythm. The CD-ROM also describes specific heart conditions but this will not replace the interpretive skills of an Heart specialist.

• Some people will want their Family Physician to interpret the readout – is this possible?

Yes BUT, we strongly suggest that users get an online report which will tell them if they need to go to see their family physician for further investigation. We do not wish to waste family physician’ time with unnecessary reports, or cause the user undue concern. If you have a history of heart disease then you may wish to discuss how you could best use the monitor with your family physician.

• What sort of conditions could the device be used to monitor?

Many users will have had a family history of heart disease, may have high blood pressure or high cholesterol or simply be aware of the need to be more healthy. Although users may not currently have a condition, statistics show that 50% of us will develop heart disease (for diabetics it can be as high as 80%) and early diagnosis and treatment could significantly help both quality of life and life expectancy. Many users will have a diagnosed heart condition or may already have had a heart attack or stroke and will want to monitor their condition and learn how to improve lifestyle.

• What about people who don’t actually have a condition but are concerned about family history and want to monitor their heart and health, can they use it?

It is entirely suitable for use by people with no condition but who are interested in their health. But we would always recommend that people consult their GP if they have family history, have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms.

• For how long do I need to wear the device to get a valid reading?

Ideally we would suggest using the device for 6-8 hours, as the longer the test, the more information is gathered and the more thorough the report. However even a short report of 1 hour may pick up any unusual heart rhythms.

• What should I do when wearing the device – should I exercise or lie down?

You should ideally go about your normal routine, however strenuous exercise will produce a distorted reading so you need to be aware of this. Some users will learn to use the monitor to check their heart function while undertaking exercise e.g., at the gym, golf, tennis, walking, cycling etc.

• If I feel that something is wrong when I’m wearing the device can I record it?

Yes you can – the device has a Log button that allows you to flag when a particular sensation occurred and this shows up on the report

• Is there any limit to the number of times I can press the log button?

A maximum of 10 logs can be recorded – the first nine times you press the Log button, and the final time

• I understand that the human heart generates lots of false readings, how does the ONE ECG ensure that important information gets reported.

The machine has a highly sophisticated neural network filtering system to eliminate false readings which can be created by, for example, the monitor pads rubbing against clothing during the recording. It is important to stress that the monitor is designed in such a way that if there is any doubt as to the reading it is included in the report.

• Can I use the device if I walk through an airport scanner?

Airport security generally ask people to pass all electronic devices through an X-ray machine and we would recommend compliance with airport security’s instructions.

• Can I travel by plane while wearing it?

Airline operators always ask that electronic devices be switched off during take-off and landing as they can interfere with vital equipment. As it is not advisable to interrupt the ECG test once it has started, it is best that you do not choose to use the ONE ECG if you need to fly. In the unlikely event that you are wearing the monitor whilst travelling by air, just switch it off and restart the test when you reach your destination.

• Will my mobile phone or other electrical equipment such as an MP3 player interfere with the device

It is highly unlikely most normal electrical equipment would affect the device and to date no problems have been found in tests. However, it is possible that interference could happen.

• Is the device safe and accurate to use in a thunderstorm?

The device is perfectly safe to use in a thunderstorm and should produce accurate readings. However, take normal safety precautions when caught in a thunderstorm.

• Can I use the device in the shower or bath?

No. Please do not use the device in the shower or bath as it is not waterproof. Also, try to keep the device out of the rain by using the pouch provided.

• How long will the batteries last?

We would recommend a new set for each 8-hour test. This will ensure you do not lose data if the batteries fail or run down. The screen readout will give you an idea of the status of the batteries.

• How do I tell if the device is functioning correctly and if I think there is a malfunction what should I do?

You can tell the device is functioning correctly by looking at the screen when you start a test. It automatically provides a series of comments to show you everything is functioning properly. The device will also generate malfunction messages if there are problems during the recording. Refer to the user manual or our wiki for an explanation of these messages and what to do about them.

• If you are still unclear, contact the Customer Support Line .

       Opening hours are as follows:
       Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
       Saturday 10am to 4pm
       Sunday 10am to 2pm
       Closed on National Holidays

• Will high levels of static electricity from modern carpets and fabrics affect the working of the device?

   No

Will any medication that I am taking for my heart condition affect the ONE ECG? If you are taking medication for a heart condition you can still use the device with confidence. Some drugs will affect the electrical activity of the heart particularly the heart rate. Regular use of the ONE ECG could help you ensure you are benefiting without undue side effects. The Medick Personal Heart Reporting Service expert reports should be shared with your doctor as only he/she should change the dose of your medication if required.

• Are there any circumstances/conditions when it is not recommended to use the device?

   The ONE ECG is not intended for use in anyone who fits in the following categories:

   * Anyone younger than 16 years as heart function is not fully stabilized in people this young and so may produce misleading reports.
   * People with pacemakers.
   * Women in late stage pregnancy.
   * In addition, under no circumstances should the ONE ECG be used in conjunction with a defibrillator!

• Can you guarantee that my personal details will be secure and confidential?

We have secure software in place on our website to ensure that any information you provide of a clinical or financial nature will be totally protected and not accessible by third parties.