ECG Signal Monitoring Using Networked Mobile Devices

Aging populations and increasing rates of chronic diseases are overwhelming even the most efficient health care systems. Technology has the potential to move health care to a more proactive, consumer-centric model of care, capable of improving cost, quality, and accessibility of health care services. However, there are still many problems to solve before having fully functional, reliable, secure and efficient remote health care systems. Thus, this paper presents a working implementation of a system for monitoring health conditions using sensor networks and wireless communication technologies. Although, our prototype is focused on the monitoring of electrocardiogram signals, the proposal comprises an experimental platform to analyze several factors contributing to the reliability, safety and efficiency of remote health care structures. In addition, our proposal will be the starting point for implementing networked portable devices oriented to the continuous monitoring of elderly or chronically ill patients.