Wearable Devices for Physical Monitoring of Heart: A Review

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiology
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health challenge, being the primary cause of mortality worldwide.
• Wearable technology has emerged as a promising tool for continuous patient monitoring, offering a more accessible alternative to traditional hospital-based diagnostics like electrocardiograms.
• Advancements in miniaturization, accuracy, energy efficiency, data security, and cost-effectiveness have accelerated the adoption of wearable devices for managing CVDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review commercial and non-commercial wearable devices utilized for monitoring biomedical variables associated with cardiovascular diseases.
• To identify the types of variables monitored by different wearable technologies.
• To assess the current landscape and capabilities of wearable devices in the context of CVD management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of commercial and non-commercial wearable devices.
• Analysis of monitored biomedical variables (e.g., heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, photoplethysmography).
• Categorization of devices based on their form factor (e.g., smart wristbands, patches, smartwatches) and intended applications (e.g., atrial fibrillation detection, heart failure monitoring).

Main Results:

• Commercial wearables commonly include smart wristbands, patches, and smartwatches, primarily monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and electrocardiogram (ECG) data.
• Non-commercial wearables often focus on ECG and photoplethysmography (PPG) data, frequently incorporating accelerometers and smartwatches for detecting conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
• The effectiveness of wearable monitoring for CVDs is significantly influenced by the integration with healthy personal habits, underscoring a holistic approach to patient care.

Conclusions:

• Wearable devices present a viable and increasingly sophisticated option for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
• A diverse range of wearable technologies exists, catering to different monitoring needs and applications within cardiology.
• The successful management of CVDs using wearable technology necessitates a combination of technological monitoring and proactive patient lifestyle choices.