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Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function
Published on: December 11, 2019
Comparison between a 6‑lead smartphone ECG and 12‑lead ECG in athletes
Jessica J Orchard1, John W Orchard2, Hariharan Raju3
1Faculty of Medicine & Health, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Australia; Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia.
Abstract:
Athletes sometimes experience transient arrhythmias during intense exercise, which may be difficult to capture with traditional Holter monitors. New and highly portable technology, such as smartphone electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, may be useful in documenting and contribute to diagnosis of exercise-induced arrhythmias. There are little data available regarding the new Kardia 6 lead device (6L) and no data regarding its use in athletic populations. In this short communication, we present pilot data from 30 healthy athletes who underwent a 12‑lead ECG and subsequent 6L reading. Our pilot data show relatively high levels of agreement for QTc and PR interval and QRS duration, with the 6L readings slightly but significantly shorter on average.
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