Kardia

What it does

Kardia is a heart-monitoring app from AliveCor Inc. that works with compatible Kardia devices to record an electrocardiogram (ECG) on a phone. It is aimed at people who have been asked to keep track of their heart rhythm, as well as users who want to share recordings with a clinician. The app is not a substitute for emergency care or a diagnosis from a health professional.

How it fits into care

Its main role is to capture and keep heart-rhythm recordings outside a clinic. Users can review recordings and share them with a healthcare professional, making the app useful for people who need a record to discuss at an appointment. The monitoring depends on compatible AliveCor hardware; the app alone does not record an ECG.

What to weigh

Kardia is more focused on ECG recording than general-purpose fitness watches, which typically track pulse as one part of a broader activity and wellness feature set. That focus may suit someone following a clinician’s advice, but it also means the app is less useful without the corresponding device. ECG results should be treated as information to discuss with a clinician, not as a standalone medical assessment.

Reach and track record

Kardia has a 4.7-star rating from about 52,900 reviews and more than 1 million installs. Those figures indicate broad use, but they do not establish whether it is appropriate for an individual’s health needs. The practical choice depends on whether compatible hardware and an ECG-focused record are relevant to the user’s care.