ACOUSTIC STETHOSCOPE WITH MICROPHONE FOR NON-INVASIVE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH MONITORING

Abstract

Heart rate measurement is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Traditional methods like ECG and PPG rely on physical contact, but modern acoustic techniques enable non-invasive heart rate monitoring through microphones, making it more accessible. This research focuses on designing a microphone-based system that processes acoustic signals using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to filter noise and extract heartbeats. The system calculates heart rate in beats per minute (BPM), classifies it into Low, Normal, High, or Abnormal based on age-specific cut-off points, and provides real-time feedback through visual plots, addressing diverse health needs. The study demonstrates FFT’s efficiency in noise reduction and frequency separation, enhancing detection under various conditions. By offering affordable, user-friendly solutions, the system is suitable for home health monitoring, athletic performance evaluation, and elderly care. However, environmental noise and signal fluctuations highlight the need for further refinement. This work emphasizes the advantages of non-intrusive, acoustic-based heart rate monitoring techniques, paving the way for improved, cost-effective approaches to cardiovascular health management.