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Thursday, November 6, 2014

AliveCor Heart Monitor



Heart health is very important, there is no doubt about that. I was recently asked by AliveCor to check out their heart monitor for our “for men” gifts section. I of course had to try it out for myself. What started out as a normal review item for me, quickly turned into a life saver for a major health issue. I will explain more below.





A couple weeks ago I wasn’t feeling well. To be honest, I haven’t felt 100% in about 3 years but that’s another story. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago i was getting really faint, and sick whenever I would be standing. It also felt like my heart was beating super fast. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I was very well hydrated. I decided to check my heart rate with the AliveCor. When I did, it read 129. If you know what a regular heart rate should be, will know that this is a little on the high side. A resting heart rate should be between 80 and 100. After a few days of feeling like my heart was going to burst every time i walked around, I decided to go to the Dr. While I was in the waiting room, I felt really faint and decided to take it again and it read 134. It was obvious that something was going on and it was a good thing I was at the Dr.





To make a really long story short, I was admitted to the hospital for a few days, because at that point I had a resting HR of over 145. They ran a bunch of tests and I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome also known as POTS. POTS is a form of orthostatic intolerance that is associated with the presence of excessive tachycardia on standing. OK, in English: When I stand up, my heart starts beating way too fast and I get sick. Right now I can only stand up for a couple minutes at a time without getting really sick and feeling faint. For me, I experience sweating, face, hands and arms tingle, nausea, headache… With the help of meds and a few diet changes, and a few other medical changes I should be able to manage it, but there is no known cure. So it is something I will battle for the rest of my life. Without the AliveCor showing me my heart rate was to high, I probably would have waited even longer to be seen, and well. that wouldn’t have been a good idea.


If you want you can use the adhesive back of the monitor and stick it to your phone. You can remove the monitor itself at anytime so it’s not so bulky and then attach it when you want to use it, or leave it on all the time.

Once you have the monitor attached, then download the free app (available for iphone or Android). The app will walk you through setting everything up. It will ask you a few questions and then ask you to put your fingers on the metal part of the monitor so it can read your heart rate. It only takes about 30 seconds. After the first reading it will send it off to be read free of charge. Once you get it back you are good to record it at any time.


After each reading you have the option to enter in a few things about your activity level so when you go back you can see why it was low, high or just right. The app allows you to go save a session or to cancel.


Personally, I carry the monitor in my purse and when I feel off, I quickly take my HR and then go from there. I showed my Dr how it worked and she thought it was pretty cool and was glad that I had it as well.




I feel very blessed to have been picked to try out this monitor as it really has made a difference to my health. If you have heart problems, or suspect you do, I highly recommend this monitor. It’s a little pricy at $199, but worth it when you discover something like I did.

AliveCor is being very generous and is giving 5 winners one of their monitors. Please use the Giveaway Tools below for your chance to win.


Giveaway runs from to  at 9pm CST
Chances of winning depend on entries received.
Open to US residents 18 years and older
prize valued at $199
No PO BOX
Winner entry will be verified
Winner has 48 hours to reply to this notification email or another winner will be selected





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Disclosure: The above product or service was provided in order to facilitate the above review. I received no additional compensation for this post, and the provision of this product or service in no way affected my opinion or statements presented above. The information provided in this post is the expressed opinion of the author and is in no way reflective of the beliefs of any current or previous employers. Top Notch Material blog always provides honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products and services reviewed. The information presented above is NOT to replace the advice of your medical professionals and is for informational purposes only. Please speak with your physician or other medical providers prior to . Top Notch Material is not responsible for prize fulfillment; sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. If you have any questions or would like your product, service or company featured on Top Notch Material, please contact katrina from Top Notch Material at katrina dot gehman {at} gmail [dot] com. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

73 comments:

  1. Wow this is an awesome device! Looks pretty easy to use too.

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  2. I'm passing this on to a friend. She was diagnosed with POTS last year at 28. With 2 kids, her life all but needed this diagnosis. This monitor would be awesome for her!

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    1. it hasn't been an easy time since the dx, even with the meds and such. They haven't started working yet. I hope your friend is able to manage hers. it's crazy.

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  3. It is comparable to a Lead 1 ECG reading from a standard ECG machine. It is an easy way to determine irregular heart rhythms quickly. I really hope I get picked. I have unusual chest pain that they can't determine the cause of. Two stents in my LAD and balloon angioplasty of a kissing lesion (with just mild chest pressure as symptomatology) for a 90% occlusion. I'd like to hang around a lot longer.

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  4. Entered YEARS supply of S.O.S giveaway

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  5. Wow, I'm sorry about your health condition and that it landed you in the hospital. I hope you find a way to deal with it. Its awesome that you had this monitor to help you realize you needed to see someone. This I'm sure will help a lot of people.

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  6. Sorry to hear about your health condition but happy to hear that you were diagnosed in time! This sounds like a great unit to have and I'll be sure to recommend it. Prayers for you!

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  7. Happy to enter contest. Have had autonomic dysfunction for 8+ years-

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  8. Love this, always wanted one! Its amazing and be a nice tool for my arrhythmia

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  9. I like that I can track my trends to show my Dr.

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  10. Sounds like this would be really useful for tracking symptoms and trends with my POTS as well.

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  11. I have a friend that would probably love that. I think it would help give peace of mind.

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  12. I have heart palps and was on a heart monitor earlier this year, while they were diagnosed as nothing to worry about this would definitely put my mind at ease... I like the fact that this can be used outside of the US as well, since I travel to Guatemala every summer and like to take my BP monitor with me, and with this I can also monitor my heart rate in case I am not feeling very well. Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. I am glad that you had this monitor and it was able to show you that something wasn't right and that you went to the doctor to get things checked out.

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  13. I like that this seems easy to use. I would give this to my mother who has had some serious heart issues in the past year.

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  14. I have occasional bouts of Atrial Fibrillation (Afib). Afib is an irregular heartbeat that can sometimes be dangerous as it occasionally leads to strokes. It's important to know if you have Afib episodes. The Alive Cor monitor now automatically detects Afib by sensing the irregular heartbeat. This would be nice to have.

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  15. I had 3 different stress tests last year beacuse everytime upon exercertion I would get this pain that goes from my chest to my bottom teeth. My Dr said I have PVC's(where it feels like your heart pauses between beats) This machine would be an easy way to determine irregular heart rhythms, it would also keeps track so i wouldn't have too, I'm really bad at keeping track. I'm grateful that the blood glucose meters store the readings.

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  16. I really like that this device tracks symptoms, medications, and lifestyle choices.

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  17. Just the fact that it can be attached on your phone is crazy! Bu I like that it can monitor other aspects of your health too.

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  18. I find the whole thing amazing!!!! The fact that you can track and share with your Dr. could be a life saver!! I am flabbergasted! Love, love, love it!

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  19. I learned that the AliveCor Heart Monitor can track symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath, habits like caffeine or alcohol consumption, and activities like exercise or sleep.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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  20. I love that i could track symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath, habits like caffeine or alcohol consumption, and activities like exercise or sleep.

    supergirl198296(at)yahoo.com

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  21. Immediately detect atrial fibrillation in an ECG great to use especially my son has a heart transplant.

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  22. I love that you can share your results with your physician at or between appointments.

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  23. Wow, I am so glad that you are ok and found out what was wrong! I have a lot of heart palpatations and I love that this can record those to take and discuss with the doc.

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  24. love to have this loves how it can track symptoms. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net

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  25. trisha chamberlainThursday, November 13, 2014

    Ease of use and I like that my husband will be able to share the information with his doctor. He is in the military an works out hard, but the doctors don't always listen and they don't always take the time to check the soldiers out properly. Maybe this will help him get the attention he really needs.

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  26. It takes other things (medication, physical exercise, etc.) into account, not just the ECG.

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  27. I like that you can collect symptoms as well

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  28. I think it's interesting this device can immediately detect atrial fibrillation.

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  29. Sharing results with physicians and trends. Doctor can quickly review and see how you've been doing

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  30. I like that it immediately detects atrial fibrillation in an ECG and track trends. This would be so helpful while taking care of my mother in law. She's 89 with dementia and has AFIB. There are times when she says her heart is getting out of rhythm and frankly, it's hard to know when it's the truth and when it is the dementia talking.

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  31. This could really help get rapid treatment during episodes

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  32. I love how it can record your symptoms!

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  33. I really enjoyed Paige's review of the Green Frying Pan. I've in the market for a new one and I now have found the one I want. I've been concerned about the toxic fumes my current pan has been probably emitting when my pan gets over heated.

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  34. I like that you can Share your results with your physician

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

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  35. I wonder if this would help me send my spontaneous ihb to my Dr... Looks like a great tool. I'd love to try it!

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  36. I love that you can record heart rhythms along with your symptoms, lifestyle activities and medications. Very cool.

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  37. I like that I can share my results with my physician.

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  38. I like that you can share the information on the device with your doctor both before and during an appointment.

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  39. i like that it works through a cell phone app thats amazing

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  40. I like that it can detect atrial fibrillation in an ECG and you can share your results with your physician.

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  41. I learned that data is stored on the device and on their secure servers. It can be accessed via the web also.

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  42. It records your heart rhythms so that you can show your doctor.

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  43. I'm just amazed this exists. The graphs and monitoring are incredible. I can share this with my doctor since I take my blood pressure daily.

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  44. My Mom was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure last year & has dizzy spells when her heart beats very fast. This would be really good for her to use. I love that you can do this yourself!

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  45. The other contest I entered was the Old Factory Candles giveaway.

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  46. I learned that it is FDA cleared for heart monitoring, which is a very good thing

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  47. I love that you can share your results with your doctor.

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  48. I found most interesting that the Doctors (from the Clinical Research section) actually are accepting and encouraging use of this device. And FDA clearance. How far these devices are coming! GREAT

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  49. Thanks 4 the chance

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  50. I found out a little over a year ago that I have a very unusual looking ECG and ended up going through stress testing, etc. I turned out to be fine; but with a 97-year old grandmother who was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure in her forties - I definitely needed to go through the steps. Something like this would be such a convenient way for any one to keep track of medical issues very easily. Michelle H.

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  51. Bonnie Crawford-HarrisSaturday, November 15, 2014

    I would love to show this to my co-workers this product as we work with cardiologists.

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  52. It is an easy way to determine irregular heart rhythms quickly.

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  53. I like that you can put your finger on the metal to check your heartbeat. How neat!

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  54. I learned that it's FDA-cleared. What an awesome device!

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  55. I entered the Old Factory Candles giveaway

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  56. I like how you can track symptoms like heart palpitations and activities like sleep. My sister has been having many symptoms in which I feel this product would benefit her.

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  57. I like how it can detect if something is wrong in just 30 seconds by just resting it on your fingers or chest to record an ECG and know right away if atrial fibrillation is detected.

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  58. I love that it can Immediately detect atrial fibrillation

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  59. I like that you simply rest it on your fingers or chest to record an ECG in just 30 seconds. After that you can share it with your doctor, even between visits.

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  60. I like that it is simple to us, and quick to give a reading.

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  61. I learned that it's FDA-cleared

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  62. Honestly, I would so genuinely have this authentically awesome and potentially lifesaving device! As a three time cancer survivor who is also afflicted with Asthma/COPD, last summer I had the scare that shook me to the core: a very sudden heart attack. Fortunately it was a mild one ~ but the warning was profound.

    My (excellent) cardiologist is very pleased with my lifestyle change, medications and the ongoing outcomes. But I cannot afford to see him or take important monitoring more than once or twice a year. Despite my past battles with cancer, heart attacks (opr worse, STROKES) have long been the killers in my family history and I dread and fear them the most, especially as I recently passed tje 60 milestone.

    I love everything about the Alivecor Heart Monitor (including the name!) and very much appreciate the range of compatibiity for easy use/access of an AF Detector - PLUS the ability to share this current information with my cardiologist on a regular basis. This would provide me with MUCH NEEDED peace of mind and reassurance that I'm on the right track ~ and an early warning detection system that very well may save my life someday!

    Thank you for much for this VERY thoughtful and generous giveaway!

    Jesselyn A/Jesstinger

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  63. I like that this device collects all this information and you can use it to share with your doctor.

    Beth

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  64. I entered your Ozbot Robot Giveaway
    http://www.topnotchmaterial.com/2014/11/ozobot-awesome-gift-idea-for-younger.html

    Jesselyn A/Jesstinger

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  65. I entered the Nesco 18qt roaster giveaway.

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  66. I like that you can track trends in your heart rate.

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  67. I entered the http://www.topnotchmaterial.com/2014/11/set-of-3-old-factory-candle-review-and.html giveaway.

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  68. I hope your feeling better. I too feel chest pressure. Waiting on the test results. I was interested in the fact that they make a monitor for your pet too. That's way cool

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