FibriCheck App

What Is AF

Atrial Fibrillation is the most common cause of irregular heartbeat, known as cardiac arrythmia. There are 500,000 people with undiagnosed AF in the UK.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) significantly increases the risk of developing a blood clot in your heart, which can travel to your brain and cause a stroke.

The chances of developing AF increase as you get older. It is much more common from age 65+. Having other conditions also makes AF more likely. They include:

• high blood pressure
• an overactive thyroid
• lung disease
• chest infections like pneumonia
• alcohol or drug misuse
• vascular disease
• diabetes
• any previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• a diagnosis of dementia

For more information about AF please visit the NHS site: Atrial fibrillation

The good news is that these risks can be significantly reduced with the correct course of treatment.

Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care Board are leading on the implementation of a digital heart rhythm check to test for Atrial Fibrillation. Find out more below.

Who is taking part?

Digital Heart rhythm checks are being offered to people who currently present to the GP surgery with symptoms that suggest that they may have an abnormal cardiac rhythm.  You will only be offered this check if you DO NOT have immediate and life-threatening symptoms.

In addition, a practice may also invite people that may be considered to be at higher risk of developing AF.

What happens if I am invited to take part?

We are using new digital technology to help identify AF in people. This means you will need access to your own smartphone or be able to ask a family member/carer who has a smartphone to help. This App is called FibriCheck. To find out more about the App follow the link below.

FibriCheck - Monitor your heart rhythm, prevent strokes

Your GP will discuss using the FibriCheck App with you in your consultation, to see if this might be appropriate for you. They will ask if you consent to using the App. This consent will be recorded on your patient record.

If you are able, and agree to use the App, your GP will send a unique code for you to be able to download the App free of charge for 7 days.

Do not share this code with anyone else.

What you need to know about using the App?

1. You have 7 days free access after which time you will need to pay if you want to continue using the App
2. You will download the App on to your smart phone and start to take measurements
3. Measure your heart rate twice a day for 7 days
4. You can take extra measurements any time of the day or night or when you are experiencing symptoms - (there is no limit to the number of times you can take)
5. You will receive a report in the FibriCheck App at the end of each measurement that will let you know that your reading is either normal or if there needs to be any further investigation
6. Any abnormal readings are checked by a FibriCheck technicians/cardiologist to verify the reading before submission to your GP
7. If you receive a red reading this indicates potential AF. Please seek urgent medical assistance
8. Your GP will receive a report within 48 hours of the first instance of an abnormal or urgent reading
9. Your GP will receive a report of the full week’s readings at the end of the 7-day period whether the readings are normal, abnormal or urgent.

How do you download and use the APP?

If you have given consent to using the App, you will receive an automated text message, email, or paper invitation from your Practice. This will contain a link to further information and a unique Practice Code to allow you to download the FibriCheck APP and use it free of charge for 7 days.

This link is unique to you and must not be shared.

1. The text you receive will come from the Practice
2. You will need to create and activate your account.
3. If you require further information or help downloading or using the App, you can call the UK FibriCheck support number on 01273 092051 or email support@fibricheck.com. 
4. When you register to use the App, you will be asked a series of questions about your health. You must try to answer all the questions as accurately as possible as the App uses your responses to help calculate your reading result.
5. Use FibriCheck to monitor your heart rhythm twice a day for seven days.
6. You may measure your heart rhythm if you are experiencing symptoms at any time of the day or night in addition to the normal twice daily readings
7. You can set and personalised your notifications within the App. The default is set to one reminder per day.
8. To use the App, simply press the ‘start measurement’ button in the App and place your finger on your smartphone camera, located at the back of the phone, for 60 seconds and your heart rhythm will be recorded. You will receive a summary of the reading on your phone after you have answered some simple questions
9. After seven days your results will be sent to your Practice and reviewed by your GP
10. If your readings are all normal (Green), you will not be contacted. If you continue to experience further symptoms, please contact your GP again.
11. If any of your readings are abnormal and further investigation is required, you will be contacted directly by your GP who will explain the next steps.

The goal of the FibriCheck heart health check is to help you and your doctors to understand your heart health. FibriCheck is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A diagnosis is always made by the treating doctor who can consider your complete medical history and advise on the best course of action for you.

It's important to note that some people experience an irregular heart rhythm every now and then, rather than regularly or constantly. Some people may have a normal heart rhythm and then suddenly get an abnormal one, this is known as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Both frequent and infrequent irregular heart rhythms carry the same risks and therefore both require frequent and regular checks.

What if I decide not to use the APP?

You must let your GP know that you have decided not to use the App as this could delay any   investigations and they will not be informed if you do not submit any readings.

What happens after I have completed my 7 days monitoring

Once you have completed your 7 days of monitoring your GP will receive a report summarising all the readings you have taken.  If you have any abnormal readings, your GP will advise you if you need any further investigations, however if your readings are all normal (Green), you may not be contacted by your GP. If you continue to have any symptoms, please contact your GP.

You will also be offered the opportunity to purchase the FibriCheck App for which there is a monthly charge. You do not have to sign up for this continued monitoring.

If you choose to pay for continued use of the App, the results of any readings, you take WILL NOT be sent to your GP.  If you receive any abnormal results, then please contact your GP for advice. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the APP and shared with your GP if necessary.

How will my information be stored?

FibriCheck is a Medically Certified App that measures your heart rate and heart rhythm using the camera and flash of your smartphone. The results of these measurements will automatically be shared with your doctor.

FibriCheck processes and stores your personal and medical data with utmost care using a secure cloud which meets the highest industry standards. FibriCheck’s data security is compliant with GDPR and adheres to NHS cyber security standards. Find out more by checking FibriCheck’s privacy policy.

Learn more about how we may use your data and see our privacy notice

Frequently asked questions and additional information

How to get help with the APP

For more help and advice using the App please contact FibriCheck directly. You can call the UK FibriCheck support number on 01273 092051 or email support@fibricheck.com