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

Entry-Form

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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.