Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function
Published on: December 11, 2019
A Mobile ECG System for the Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk
César A Villamil1, Sebastián F Landínez1, Diego M López1
1Telematics Engineering Research Group, University of Cauca, Colombia.
Insights
A new mobile Electrocardiogram (ECG) system offers a low-cost solution for evaluating cardiovascular risk, particularly beneficial for low and middle-income countries (LMIC). This system aids in early detection and prevention of heart disease globally.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Public Health
- Digital Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading global cause of death, with 80% of fatalities occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
- Effective and accessible tools for cardiovascular risk assessment are crucial, especially in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development of a mobile Electrocardiogram (ECG) system.
- To enhance cardiovascular risk evaluation using accessible technology.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mobile ECG system utilizing low-cost technology.
- Implementation on the open-source SANA platform.
- Integration of ECG signal analysis into cardiovascular risk assessment.
Main Results:
- The system features on-device ECG visualization and analysis on Android devices.
- Includes calculation of four cardiovascular risk scales and standard ECG transmission (EDF).
- Achieved 100% performance and 89% relevance ratings from ten expert evaluators across 28 application scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrates the feasibility of a low-cost, open-source mobile ECG system for cardiovascular risk evaluation.
- Highlights potential utility in health promotion and prevention programs, especially in LMIC.
- Supports accessible cardiac care and disease management globally.
Problem:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one cause of death globally. The World Health Organization estimated that 80% of the deaths caused by CVD take place in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Objective:
This paper describes the development of a mobile Electrocardiogram (ECG) system designed to support the evaluation of cardiovascular risk.
Methods:
The system was developed using low-cost technology, implemented under the open-source platform SANA and adding an ECG signal to the process of cardiovascular risk evaluation.
Results:
Main functionalities of the system include a visualization and analysis of the ECG signal in the Android mobile device, calculation of four cardiovascular risk scales, standard ECG transmission using the European Data Format (EDF), and integration into an Electronic Health Record system. Ten experts recommended 28 different application scenarios for the system, and evaluated its performance (100%) and relevance of the functionalities (89%).
Conclusions:
The paper demonstrates the feasibility to develop a low-cost, open source, mobile ECG System able to support the evaluation of cardiovascular risk and potentially useful for other health promotion and prevention programs and scenarios, especially in LMIC.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and...
01:23Holter Monitor: 24-Hour Monitoring
01:30Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
01:28Electrocardiogram Fundamentals
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin...
01:30Pulse rhythm
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...