This will play a video - Elderly couple walking in a building, carrying luggage, and looking at a phone

Remote monitoring for implanted heart devices

If you have an implanted heart device, ongoing care doesn't end at the implant. It's important to maintain a connection with your doctor or clinic for the life of your device. One of the best ways to do this is through remote monitoring.

Remote monitoring 

Remote monitoring is a way for your implanted heart device to communicate with your doctor or clinic, potentially reducing the number of times you have to travel to your clinic for an implanted heart device check.
 

Studies have shown that remote monitoring:

  • Detects abnormal heart rhythms and issues with heart devices faster.1,2
  • Reduces hospitalizations and ER visits.3,4
  • Increases quality of life.4
  • Provides a sense of security and peace of mind.5-7

Remote monitoring is prescribed by your doctor. It provides easy access to information that allows your doctor to:

  • Manage your heart condition.
  • Monitor your implanted heart device.
  • Obtain information from your implanted heart device on an as-needed basis.

MyCareLink Heart™

MyCareLink Heart mobile app viewed on a mobile phone

Bluetooth®-enabled Medtronic heart devices can communicate directly to your clinic via the MyCareLink Heart mobile app, available for Apple® and Android™ mobile devices.

Get started

MyCareLink Relay™

MyCareLink Relay home communicator in a small format with a blue circle around it

The MyCareLink Relay home communicator sends data from your heart device directly to your clinic using Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Find out more

Find the right remote monitoring option for you

Medtronic offers hardware and app-based monitors designed to fit your lifestyle. Your doctor or clinic will help you determine the right monitoring option for you.

Options for heart devices with Bluetooth®

MyCareLink Heart Mobile App*

The MyCareLink Heart mobile app allows you to use a smartphone or tablet as a monitor. Whether at home or on the go, you’ll stay connected to your clinic using cellular data or Wi-Fi. The app also gives you access to information about your heart device, including implant date, heart device type, model, and serial number, and it will send you notifications on transmission and connectivity status.

This option may be best if you:

  • Own a compatible smartphone or tablet
  • Keep a smartphone or tablet nearby at least three hours per day

*Keep your mobile device and software current so you can continue to use the app.

Cellphone with a MyCareLink Heart mobile app icon

MyCareLink Relay Home Communicator

The MyCareLink Relay home communicator sends data from your heart device directly to your clinic using Wi-Fi or cellular data. 

This option may be best if you rarely carry your mobile device — like a smartphone or tablet — with you.

MyCareLink Relay home communicator on white background

Options for other Medtronic heart devices

MyCareLink Smart Monitor*

The MyCareLink Smart monitor uses a handheld reader and an app to send heart device data to your clinic through your mobile device.

This option may be best if you:

  • Have a Medtronic pacemaker, including CRT-P
  • Own a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet or have a caretaker who owns a smartphone or tablet

*Keep your mobile device and software current so you can continue to use the app.

MyCareLink Smart reader next to a tablet and a mobile phone on white background

MyCareLink Monitor

The MyCareLink monitor sends data from your heart device directly to your clinic using a cellular network.

This option may be best if you do not have a compatible smart device.

The MyCareLink monitor is the only option for patients with older ICD/CRT-D devices.

MyCareLink monitor on white background

Patient resources

Questions about your monitor:
Medtronic Stay Connected 
1-866-470-7709
Monday–Friday
7 a.m.–7 p.m. CT

U.S. mail:
Medtronic Heart Rhythm Patient Services
Mail Stop MVC 31
8200 Coral Sea St. NE
Mounds View, MN 55112

MyCareLink Connect website:
for Medtronic implanted heart devices
MyCareLinkConnect.com

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Medtronic is under license.

Apple, iPhone, iPad, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Android™ and Google Play™ store are trademarks of Google LLC.

References

1

Crossley GH , Boyle A, Vitense H, Chang Y, Mead RH; CONNECT Investigators. The CONNECT (Clinical Evaluation of Remote Notification to Reduce Time to Clinical Decision) trial: the value of wireless remote monitoring with automatic clinician alerts. J Am Coll Cardiol. March 8, 2011;57(10):1181-1189.

2

Chen J, Wilkoff BL, Choucair W, et al. Design of the Pacemaker Remote Follow-up Evaluation and Review (PREFER) trial to assess the clinical value of the remote pacemaker interrogation in the management of pacemaker patients. Trials. April 3, 2008;9:18.

3

Small R, Tang W, Wickemeyer W, et al. Managing Heart Failure Patients with Intra-Thoracic Impedance Monitoring: A Multi-Center US Evaluation (OFISSER). J Card Fail. August 2007;13(6 Supp 2):S113-S114.

4

Landolina M, Perego GB, Lunati M, et al. Remote monitoring reduces healthcare use and improves quality of care in heart failure patients with implantable defibrillators: the evolution of management strategies of heart failure patients with implantable defibrillators (EVOLVO ) study. Circulation. June 19, 2012;125(24):2985-2992.

5

Marzegalli M, Lunati M, Landolina M. Remote monitoring of CRT-ICD: The Multicenter Italian CareLink Evaluation — Ease of Use, Acceptance, and Organizational Implications. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. October 2008;31(10):1259-1264.

6

Petersen HH, Larsen MC, Nielsen OW, Kensing F, Svendsen JH. Patient satisfaction and suggestions for improvement of remote ICD monitoring. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. September 2012;34(3):317-324.

7

Ricci RP, Vicentini A, D’Onofrio A, et al. Impact of in-clinic follow-up visits in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: demographic and socioeconomic analysis of the TARIFF study population. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. November 2013;38(2):101-106.

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.