Cost-Effective and Portable Heart Rate Monitoring System using Arduino Uno and Fingertip Sensor

Abstract

The continuous monitoring of heart rate is essential for individuals with cardiovascular conditions and those engaged in fitness activities. However, existing heart rate monitoring systems are often costly and lack portability, limiting their accessibility in low-resource settings. This paper presents the design and implementation of a cost-effective and portable heart rate monitoring system using Arduino Uno and a fingertip sensor. The proposed system aims to provide an affordable solution for real-time heart rate monitoring, combining the simplicity of the Arduino platform with the precision of optical heart rate sensing technology. Testing was conducted on two different generations under resting conditions: an adult aged 40 years who works as a lecturer and a child aged 2 years. The results showed that the average BPM for the adult was 73.3 BPM, while the child had an average BPM of 92 BPM. Performance evaluations indicate that the system delivers reliable heart rate readings within the normal range for various user profiles, demonstrating its potential as a viable alternative to more expensive commercial devices.