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Wearable Heart Rate Monitor Using Arduino

 Wearable Heart Rate Monitor Using Arduino


Wearable Heart Rate Monitor Using Arduino

Introduction

With the rise of health-focused wearable devices, monitoring heart rate has become easier and more affordable. In this project, we build a wearable heart rate monitor using Arduino that can measure pulse rate in real time. This DIY project is ideal for students, electronics hobbyists, and beginners interested in biomedical electronics.

How It Works

The system uses a pulse sensor that detects blood flow changes through the fingertip or wrist. These changes are converted into electrical signals, which the Arduino processes to calculate the heart rate in beats per minute (BPM). The result can be displayed on a serial monitor or a small OLED/LCD screen.

Required Components

  • Arduino Nano / Uno

  • Pulse Sensor (Heart Rate Sensor)

  • OLED or LCD display (optional)

  • Resistors (if required by display)

  • Jumper wires

  • Breadboard or wearable PCB

  • Power source (Li-ion battery or power bank)

  • Wrist band or enclosure (for wearable design)

Circuit Connections (Overview)

  • Pulse Sensor VCC → Arduino 5V

  • Pulse Sensor GND → Arduino GND

  • Pulse Sensor Signal → Arduino Analog Pin (A0)

  • Display connections as per module type (I2C preferred for wearables)

Arduino Code Logic (Concept)

  1. Read analog signal from pulse sensor

  2. Detect peaks in the signal

  3. Calculate time between pulses

  4. Convert time into BPM

  5. Display BPM value

(You can use the official Pulse Sensor Playground Library to simplify coding.)

Wearable Design Tips

  • Use Arduino Nano for compact size

  • Choose a lightweight battery

  • Secure the pulse sensor firmly to avoid noise

  • Add foam or rubber padding for comfort

  • Keep wires short for signal stability

Applications

  • Personal fitness monitoring

  • Student biomedical projects

  • Elderly health tracking (basic level)

  • Prototype for smart health devices

  • Learning signal processing basics

Advantages

  • Low cost

  • Easy to build

  • Portable and wearable

  • Beginner-friendly

  • Customizable

Limitations

  • Not a medical-grade device

  • Accuracy depends on sensor placement

  • Motion can affect readings

Conclusion

A wearable heart rate monitor using Arduino is a great entry-level project into health electronics and IoT wearables. It helps you understand sensors, analog signals, and real-time data processing while creating something practical and useful.


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