Heart Monitoring with Nanotechnology
Siladityaa Sharma
Rita Blaik
Nanotechnology+Design
22nd Jan 2019
Monitoring Irregular Heart Rate and Detection of Heart Attacks using Nanotechnology and Wearable Technology
Heart diseases are the no. 1 cause of death in the US with Coronary heart diseases leading to over 366,880 deaths in a year. In 2015 alone there were about 114,023 deaths due to heart attacks.
Approximately every 40 seconds, an American will have a heart attack
Numerous measures are being taken by individuals and institutions to help prevent strokes and monitor heart rate for any signs of cardiovascular diseases but they are either too expensive or not that practical and effective.
Nanotech Solution
Nanosensors can be used to go down the bloodstream and constantly monitor heart rate for any irregularities and movement of endothelial cells which get removed from the artery walls before a heart attack.
Connectivity
Recently, a lot of development has happened in making monitoring devices feasible and accessible with the help of wearable technology. Apple has been able to fit a full functional electrocardiogram inside its latest Apple Watch that allows the users to keep a check on any irregularities in their heart rate. Connecting the nanosensor to such devices would enable the users to get alerted for any heart attack/stroke way in advance and visit the doctor to get it checked.
Power Supply
Such monitoring devices need power and research done by SATT in France can prove helpful here. Harvesting energy from body movements can help extend the lifespan on these nanosensors making them sustainable and cost-efficient for the consumers.
Conclusion
With all these devices and technologies connected together, there would be a strong ecosystem created that could establish a connection between the patient and the doctor and enable the doctor to prevent serious heart conditions in time and hence, lower the deaths and complications caused by cardiovascular diseases.
Works Cited
American Heart Association. “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2018 At A Glance.” American Heart Association, 2018, www.heart.org/-/media/data-import/downloadables/heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics-2018---at-a-glance-ucm_498848.pdf.
“Depiction of Endothelial Cells in the Artery.” Can You See Your Heart Attack Coming? This Device Can!, 5 Apr. 2018, www.seekingalpha.com/instablog/524943-retirefund/5140490-can-see-heart-attack-coming-device-can.
Apple. “ECG App and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification Available Today on Apple Watch.” Apple (Canada), 6 Dec. 2018, www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/12/ecg-app-and-irregular-heart-rhythm-notification-available-today-on-apple-watch/.
Newsroom, Apple. “New Electrodes in Apple Watch Series 4 Now Enable Customers to Take an ECG Directly from the Wrist.” Apple Newsroom, 6 Dec. 2018, www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/12/ecg-app-and-irregular-heart-rhythm-notification-available-today-on-apple-watch/?imgid=06e0fb72e7b8e5f1c8005ed54ae7cfff.
“Top 10 Nanotechnology Innovations | Technology Insights.” IN-PART, 14 Sept. 2018, www.in-part.com/blog/top-nanotechnology-innovations-2017/.
