The Medical Gap: HMM1 vs. The Zio Patch
Update on Jan. 9, 2026, 2:17 p.m.
When a doctor suspects an arrhythmia, they prescribe a Holter monitor or a Zio Patch. These are medical-grade (FDA Class II) diagnostic tools. The Livenpace HMM1 is a “General Wellness” device. Understanding the gap between these two categories is vital for safety.
The Chain of Custody
A medical device comes with a “Chain of Custody.” A cardiologist orders it, a technician fits it, a certified lab analyzes it, and a doctor interprets it.
The HMM1 breaks this chain. The user fits it (potential placement error), the user downloads it (potential software error), and an AI interprets it (potential algorithmic error). There is no human fail-safe.
The Lead Configuration
The Zio Patch and Holters are often multi-channel or specifically vectorized to capture maximum P-wave visibility (essential for AFib diagnosis). The HMM1 is a fixed single-lead vector. Depending on the user’s heart axis and body shape, the HMM1’s position might land in an electrical “dead zone” (isoelectric line), resulting in tiny, unreadable waves.
The Use Case: Surveillance vs. Diagnosis
The HMM1 is useless for ruling out heart disease. If the HMM1 says you are fine, but you have symptoms, you may still be sick.
However, the HMM1 excels at Symptom Correlation. If you feel a palpitation, and the HMM1 records a timestamped event, you can show that specific strip to your doctor. It acts as a “Event Recorder on Steroids.” It answers the question: “Did something happen?” It does not definitively answer: “What exactly happened and how do we treat it?” That remains the domain of professional medicine.
