Revolutionizing smartphone gyrocardiography for heart rate monitoring: overcoming clinical validation hurdles

Abstract

Accurate heart rate (HR) measurement is crucial for optimal cardiac health, and while conventional methods such as electrocardiography and photoplethysmography are widely used for continuous daily monitoring, they may face practical limitations due to their dependence on external sensors and susceptibility to motion artifacts. In recent years, mechanocardiography (MCG)-based technologies, such as gyrocardiography (GCG) and seismocardiography (SCG), have emerged as promising alternatives to address these limitations. GCG has shown enhanced sensitivity and accuracy for HR detection compared to SCG, although its benefits are often overlooked in the context of the widespread use of accelerometers in HR monitoring applications. In this perspective, we aim to explore the potential and challenges of GCG, while recognizing that other technologies, including photoplethysmography and remote photoplethysmography, also have promising applications for HR monitoring. We propose a roadmap for future research to unlock the transformative capabilities of GCG for everyday heart rate monitoring.

Smartphone-Derived Seismocardiography: Robust Approach for Accurate Cardiac Energy Assessment in Patients with Various Cardiovascular Conditions

“…For instance, Ramos-Castro et al demonstrated the viability of smartphones in recording cardiac activity, highlighting similarities with ECG signals despite certain limitations [6]. The study of beat-by-beat heart rate (HR) estimation, utilizing smartphone-based SCG primarily through acquiring angular rates via built-in gyroscopes, yielded positive results [7][8][9]. Furthermore, the potential of smartphone-derived SCG in identifying cardiac arrest scenarios was investigated, underscoring its future possibilities [10].…”

Detection of heart rate using smartphone gyroscope data: a scoping review

“…The widespread prevalence of smartphones ( 14 ) has spurred innovations in smartphone-based heart rate (HR) estimation systems ( 15 , 16 ). Smartphone-based ECG systems often involve electrodes, which have been noted for causing skin irritation in some cases ( 17 ).…”