Wireless Heart Rate Monitor in Personal Emergency Response System

This paper presents a remote heart rate monitor in personal emergency response system using the wireless technique. This is intended for continual monitoring of the heart rate of the elderly in home care or private homes for tachycardia and bradycardia diagnostic purposes or patients with long term cardiovascular disease. The system was implemented using electro-optical sensor, an embedded electronic system, and Bluetooth enabled Hands-Free module. Software algorithm was employed to process the heartbeat signal detected though the finger. Results show that the system can detect abnormal cardiac rhythms in real-time. In addition, the system was able to contact an authorised clinician in a remote location during an emergency situation. The developed system can extend the telemedicine application with a wide range of possibilities.