
AliveCor, Inc. For support, please email support@alivecor.com or visit www.alivecor.com 11
NOTE: The ECG analysis option is only visible if the analysis service is available in your country.
To view an ECG analysis that has been returned:
1. Tap History.
2. Tap the desired report
3. Tap Analysisin the lower left.
13. AF DETECTOR
NOTE: If you are not enrolled in Alivecor’s ECG Analysis service, you will not be able to view the
recording. AliveCor will unlock this feature if you are under the guidance of a physician
AF Detector is an algorithm in the AliveECG app that detects atrial fibrillation in an ECG tracing.
After you take an ECG, if atrial fibrillation is detected you will be notified within the app. This
finding is not a diagnosis, it is only a potential finding. You should contact your physician to review
any ECG recording in which atrial fibrillation was detected, or send it to ECG Analysis. If you are
experiencing any symptoms or concerns please contact a medical professional.
The AF Detector algorithm monitors for atrial fibrillation (AF) only. It will not detect other
potentially life threatening arrhythmias, and it is possible that other cardiac arrhythmias may be
present.
The AF Detector only monitors for AF while you are taking a recording. It does not continuously
monitor your heart and therefore cannot alert you if AF happens at any other time.
The recording must be at least 30 seconds in duration for the AF Detector to function.
13.1. What is Atrial Fibrillation?
The most common type of non-sinus tachyarrhythmia is atrial fibrillation. In this case,
disorganized electrical impulses that originate in the atria and pulmonary veins initiate the
electrical activity in the conduction system of the heart. This causes what are commonly
termed as irregularly irregularheart beats.
When a heart is in atrial fibrillation, its two upper chambers, the right and left atria essentially
quiver, instead of beating efficiently. This does not allow for complete emptying of the atria
and thus, blood may become stagnant and create blood clots. This can lead to major
problems, namely, strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and pulmonary emboli (PEs);
depending which chamber of the heart has the blood clot in it.
Approximately 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation. As age increases in
a population, so too does the incidence of atrial fibrillation, which peaks at about 3-5% in
people over the age of 65.
The most common presenting symptoms of atrial fibrillation are palpitations, dizziness, fast
pulse rate, irregularly irregular rhythm, an abnormal heart sound (S1), chest pain, chronic
shortness of breath, abnormal jugular venous pressure, fatigue, and impaired exercise
tolerance. Other symptoms related to TIAs and strokes may be the initial symptoms of atrial
fibrillation.