Low-Cost Electrocardiogram Device for Preventive Health Care in Rural Populations of Developing Countries

The World Health Organizations 2014 Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) indicated that chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, contributed to 68% of all deaths in 2012. Unsurprisingly, 75% of NCD deaths occurred in middle-and low-income countries, with almost half of these deaths caused by cardiovascular disease. Insufficient primary care, including access to physicians, technologies, and treatments, contributes to these cardiovascular disease outcomes. [1] An electrocardiogram (ECG) device is a medical device that measures the electrical activity of the heart and plots the voltage versus time for a doctor to interpret. Traditional ECG machines cost between $2,000 and $10,000 and require a trained physician to analyze test results. For these reasons, it is the goal of this project to create an ECG device, costing roughly $350, which can be used to screen patients for cardiovascular disease. The goal of this device is not to diagnose any particular cardiovascular disease or arrhythmia, but rather to help a doctor determine if something is abnormal. This device sends a condensed version of the ECG data to an off-site doctor via text message so that the doctor is no longer required to be present in the rural community to make informed health care decisions.