I’m writing this brief post as a warning to any individuals who have purchased the smartphone app AF Detect (screen shot below from Apple app store.) It is not a reliable detector of atrial fibrillation (AF).
A patient of mine with AF recently purchased this app unbeknownst to me. He relied on its faulty information which reassured hm he was not in AF when in fact he was in AF. Such misinformation has the potential to lead to dangerous delays in diagnosis.
There are multiple reviews on the Apple and Google app sites which confirm the total lack of reliability of this app to diagnose AF with 
multiple instances of both failure to detect known AF and inappropriate diagnosis of AF when rhythm was not AF.
In the description of the app the company says the app will “transform you rmobile device into a personal heart rate monitor and atrial fibrillation detector”.
However after purchasing the app and before using it you see this disclaimer which 
states it is not to be used for any medical diagnosis.
I will be performing a more detailed analysis of this app’s performance in the future and contacting the FDA about the danger such inaccurate medical testing confers on victims.
In the meantime if you have any experience with this app or other apps claiming to detect AF reliably using detection of the pulse from finger application to the camera lens please share them with me (via email DRP@theskepticalcardiologist.com or via comments below.)
-ACP
On the Power of Cauls, Dickens’s Doctors, and Placebos
In the first chapter (I AM BORN) of Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield, the protagonist notes that “I was born with a caul, which was advertised
8 thoughts on “Do NOT Rely on AF Detect Smartphone App To Diagnose Atrial fibrillation”
Dear dr Pearson,
the ones I have in my database of +3000 sensor based devices & apps :
– Prescription only (smartphone camera based) :
Cardimoni App & Happitech OLVG App
– FREE Apps (smartphone/watch camera based) :
CCApp, PULSE-SMART app & Cardiogram App
– Devices + App :
Rapid Rithm, Microlife, MyDiagnostick & AfibAlert
please credit me when using the info above !
And let me know if I missed any …
best,
Johan GORIS
Belgium
Johan,
Thanks for this information! I will certainly credit you as I utilize it.
I’ve had a chance to delve into a few of these apps/devices/
PULSE-SMART appears to be cardiio rhythm a PPG device with good data which does not have a product yet.
I’m currently evaluating the AfibAlert device which works with a PC-based application to diagnose Afib.
Anthony,
PULSE-SMART made a very promising jce publication indeed.
I believe “PPG based” will only be usefull for limited prescription (Cardimoni actually under evaluation to get re-imbursed in Belgium for FU of diagnosed patients)
Also this one https://www.politesi.polimi.it/bitstream/10589/115204/3/Atrial%20Fibrillation%20detection%20in%20PPG%20signal%20recorded%20through%20a%20wristband%20device.pdf with EMPATICA E4
AfibAlert has an app too https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/AfibAlert-atrial-fibrillation/id580540049?mt=8
Best,
Johan
Johan,
thanks for the info. I’ve checked out the AfibAlert app. It is very limited and gives information on atrial fibrillation but offers no diagnostic capabilities. I would not recommend it for anything. It does not interface with the AfibAlert device at all.
Qompium is from Belgium, I can put you in contact with the cardiologist & the team … they are developping international expansion !
I’d definitely be interested in talking to the team
Dear dr Pearson,
the ones I have in my database of +3000 sensor based devices & apps :
– Prescription only (smartphone camera based) :
Cardimoni App & Happitech OLVG App
– FREE Apps (smartphone camera based) :
CCApp, PULSE-SMART app & Cardiogram App
– Devices + App :
Rapid Rithm, Microlife, MyDiagnostick & AfibAlert
please credit me when using the info above !
And let me know if I missed any …
best,
Johan GORIS
Belgium
I have the Kardia (Alive Cor) app. Have used it for almost a year. You have looked at the saved leads a couple of times and seemed to think it to be accurate. I have not had any complaints of my own.