To tackle the growing problem of heart arrhythmias, Apollo Hospitals and US-based AliveCor Inc. have come together to make available for patients an innovative mobile device to access cardiac screening tools.
Through an exclusive collaboration agreement in India and of South Asia, Apollo Hospitals would introduce the smartphone enabled, medical grade, FDA-cleared AliveCor Heart Monitor as part of its arrhythmia screening and stroke prevention programme providing patients access to this device, it said in a statement yesterday.
The AliveCor Heart Monitor is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices to wirelessly record, display, store and transfer heart rate and single-channel electrocardiogram (ECG), the electrical activity of the heart.
"We are excited to collaborate with Apollo Hospitals on their mission to improve consumer access to healthcare. Together we can empower patients and their doctors throughout India with a simple, affordable mobile device to help change the way heart conditions are identified and managed," AliveCor's president and Chief Executive Officer Euan Thomson said.
According to the statement, millions of people worldwide are affected by arrhythmias, which undetected can lead to stroke and even death. One in four adults over age of 40 is at a risk of developing atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disturbance, making them five times more likely to have a stroke.
"It's extremely important for us to provide access to medical devices that are both clinically proven and cost-effective to help our patients manage their cardiac health. This agreement is another step in extending the reach of our Apollo health services to members of our community, our cardiac patients and caregivers," said Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy.
