Wired

LifeWatch LifeStar ACT III

My heart monitor arrived yesterday via FedEx. I spent the hour before the Come to the Well Tour concert reading the instruction book trying to find out how much of a pain this thing is going to be. Even before trying it out, I knew that I am going to loose my mind and swear a lot over the next month. The first clue was the size of the sensor unit. While not weighty, it is easily the size of my palm. It will not be easy to conceal this beneath my clothing. The cell phone monitor is weighty and large. It is a half inch larger than my cell phone and twice as thick. It comes with a bulky belt holder that will not hide beneath clothing. I'm going to look all important like the managers at work and carry around 2 blackberries. The instruction book warns that if you exercise regularly or sweat profusely you will need special pads that LifeWatch will send when requested. This is the south y'all. I need the special pads.

The LifeStar ACT works on bluetooth technology. It has 4 color coded electrodes that are placed via pads to specific places on my chest. The electrodes are attached to a bluetooth sensor that sends the ECG readings to a cell phone monitor. The monitor sends the ECG to a monitoring station though wireless transmission. The experts at the monitoring station will send Dr. K a report everyday of  my ECG readings. If they see something that is emergent they will call Dr. K and then me on the cell phone monitor. So for a month the secrets of my wicked heart are not my own. Kind of a creepy idea.

This morning after my bath I called to activate the monitor and order the special pads for people who sweat. The representative that I spoke with was very nice and helpful in getting the electrodes placed, the monitor activated and showing me how to send event messages. The special pads will arrive at the office (unfortunately via the F company) in two days. Until then, I am stuck with the pads for cool dry people.

So far, I had palpitations while driving that I was afraid to text while driving about. Not to worry, the cell phone would still send the event, but I couldn't send them a text about. I have dislodged both the sensor and the black electrode and sent 2 messages regarding chest pain and one for palpitations. I am off to an inglorious start.  I can tell it is going to be a long month.