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Czech-found Startup Kardi Ai Brings Affordable, at-home Heart Monitoring to Europe

Czech-found Startup Kardi Ai Brings Affordable, at-home Heart Monitoring to Europe, TheRecursive.com
Image credit: Kardi Ai personal archive
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Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Europe, claiming 1.8 million lives annually. The financial toll on European healthcare systems is equally alarming, with costs reaching a staggering €282 billion each year. 

Adding to the urgency, most heart attacks and strokes occur without warning, often leaving individuals and their families unprepared. Traditional heart monitoring solutions, while effective, are primarily hospital-based, expensive, and largely inaccessible to the broader population who could benefit from preventive measures.

Kardi Ai’s solution

In response to this crisis, Kardi Ai has developed an affordable, wearable heart monitor that is bringing proactive heart health management into everyday life.

“We believe that the widespread adoption of AI in healthcare can significantly improve public health and reduce the risks associated with heart rhythm disorders”, says Prof. Skála, the co-founder of Kardi AI. 

The device, designed as a comfortable fitness strap , continuously tracks heart rhythms 24/7. Users can access real-time ECG data directly on their smartphones, offering immediate insights into their heart health. Additionally, the device is equipped to alert users if dangerous heart patterns are detected, enabling timely intervention and preventing potential heart-related incidents.

For patients under medical supervision, the device also allows for remote physician monitoring by sharing relevant data with the user’s doctor. Priced significantly lower than traditional monitoring systems, Kardi Ai bridges the gap between hospital-grade monitoring and accessible personal health care, making preventive heart health management affordable and accessible.

Medical certification and early impact

As the first Czech startup to secure MDR Class IIa certification, the device meets rigorous European Union standards for medical safety and efficacy. To date, Kardi AI has been credited with catching over 220 cardiac events early, likely preventing fatalities and providing critical peace of mind to those affected. 

With >1500 active users and more then 130 cardiologists and neurologists already prescribing the device, Kardi AI’s influence continues to grow. The device is available for direct purchase through e-commerce platforms, enhancing its accessibility to a wider audience. Furthermore, the company has partnered with Škoda Auto Insurance, which now covers the device for its customers, and is in talks with additional insurers to broaden patient access.

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Kardi Ai’s future vision

Having completed an initial €1.5 million seed round, Kardi Ai is now preparing for a Series A funding round, which is expected to accelerate the development and deployment of its heart health solutions across Europe and beyond. 

The funds will support expansion into new regions, including Poland, India, and the UAE, and will strengthen its presence in countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Estonia, where pilot projects are already underway. By scaling its operations, Kardi Ai aims to extend its impact, preventing countless cardiovascular events and improving access to early intervention for a growing population at risk of heart disease.

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