Low-Cost Portable ECG Monitoring Device for Inaccessible Areas in Pakistan

Abstract

A need for constant health monitoring system is essential especially for heart diseases which may cause sudden stroke and death. We present in this paper the design and development of a low cost, efficient and user-friendly ECG monitoring device. Most of the heart rate measurement devices and tools available are quite expensive and may not be easily available in some areas. Presented device monitors the patient’s body information using three lead silver chloride ECG disposable electrodes and detects the pulse signal. The detected heart pulse signal is first filtered and then amplified. The device displays the heart signal on a MATLAB graphical user interface while simultaneously showing the digitized pulse rate on a digital LCD. The device was tested on female patients aged 20-24. The results obtained were reliable compared with electrocardiogram reports and similar available devices of much higher development cost.