Comparative Heart Rate Variability Analysis of ECG, Holter and PPG Signals

Abstract

The article presents a demonstrative software system with included procedures for input, preprocessing and mathematically based analysis of cardiac data. The created program has the ability to work with the following signals: ECG, holter recordings, PPG signals. The presented system uses real cardiological data from patients and obtained with modern medical devices - electrocardiography, continuous holter monitoring, photoplethysmography device and others. The presented system allows mathematically based study of cardiac records through the use of linear, nonlinear, fractal and wavelet based methods. A comparative analysis was made of the results obtained in the evaluation of the HRV parameters in the three types of signals used. The difference between HRV time series (cardiac intervals and HRV analysis) obtained by examination of individuals diagnosed with heart failure and healthy individuals is graphically presented. The findings indicate that studies of heart rate variability on ECG, Holter and PPG records can be used to support the cardiac practice of physicians.