Lifespark, a leader in senior in-home health services, has integrated SmartHeart® technology into its Urgent Response model — enabling rapid, hospital-grade cardiac testing right from patients’ homes, and empowering teams to deliver immediate, informed care when it matters most.
With SmartHeart®, Lifespark’s care teams can now detect and address cardiac issues in minutes — without the delays or uncertainty of traditional testing.
New technology is transforming in-home care for seniors, providing fast, accurate cardiac assessments, bringing peace of mind to clients and caregivers, and clarity to urgent responders. SmartHeart’s easy-to-use, EKG technology and 24/7 access to board-certified cardiologists, enable rapid results and saves hours in the ER.
Revolutionizing In-Home Care with SmartHeart® Technology
According to the CDC, “heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups” in the United States. Mildred*, 87 years old, found herself alone and afraid when she was experiencing symptoms of what she thought could be a heart attack. She called the Lifespark Triage team, who escalated her concern to a Mobile Urgent Responder (MUR) who quickly came to her home. The MUR did a full exam and used a SmartHeart® electrocardiogram (EKG), ordered by the Lifespark Same Day Provider, to identify cardiac concerns. Five minutes later, a remote cardiologist had reviewed the results, putting Mildred’s fears to rest; it wasn’t her heart, it was anxiety. This is one example of how Lifespark’s Urgent Response Services using SmartHeart in the home can save hours in the ER.
SmartHeart – Hospital-Grade 12-lead EKG testing In Your Home
In January 2025, Lifespark began a partnership with SmartHeart to provide an additional capability within the MUR team to identify and address unexpected health concerns. This new tool offers members easy-to-use, portable, EKG technology and 24/7 access to board-certified cardiologists from the comfort of your home.
“Many seniors don’t want to go to the ER and spend hours sitting and waiting for results,” said Dr. Wendy Laine, Lifespark physician and Medical Director for Urgent Response Services. “When it’s important, you shouldn’t have to wait.” SmartHeart EKG results are read by board-certified cardiologists within 30 minutes, then members and their Lifespark health care team are sent recommendations and next steps. “When we’ve deployed our MURS to members’ homes and utilized the SmartHeart technology on average, the typical response from a cardiologist is within 7 minutes.”
For members who do need to go to the ER, Lifespark can start diagnostics at home with the MUR team to assist with a transfer to the ER.
Dr. Laine lauds the SmartHeart partnership as a transformative advancement for delivering in-home care to seniors. “Our ability to provide rapid, EKG results in the comfort of our members’ homes further empowers seniors and their loved ones to make informed health decisions quickly and confidently,” explained Dr. Laine. “These tools can have a positive impact on avoiding unnecessary trips to the ER, while also highlighting when an underlying issue needs immediate attention.”
Dr. Laine recalls one member whose rapid EKG results used by the MUR team showed a dangerous cardiac rhythm called junctional with ventricular escape. “The cardiologist who provided the reading recommended going to the ER and Lifespark’s URS team was able to facilitate a smooth transition coordinating with the ER providers and communicating the member’s history, status, and directives for care,” said Dr. Laine. “That’s the experience we want. A primary care experience that reacts and delivers immediate, appropriate action with the members’ goals in mind.”
