INVESTIGATING METHODS OF BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT: COMPARING CORRELATIONS OF MULTIPLE PULSE TRANSIT TIMES TO BLOOD PRESSURE

Abstract

Currently, one in three American adults suffer from high blood pressure, a condition known as hypertension, yet only half have their condition under control (CDC, 2016). Methods of continuous blood pressure measurement have been examined by the team over the past few years. Using five hemodynamic interventions to fluctuate blood pressure, blood pressure data was gathered from 35 healthy adult participants. This data was useful in measuring pulse transit time and determining optimal locations for biosensor placement. Participants were also surveyed to collect public opinion on potential health monitoring devices for future development. Furthermore, the potential of using mobile device applications was examined as an alternative method of retrieving signals and calculating blood pressure. The results from this project indicate that for a mobile device application, the best signals to use for estimating blood pressure are PPG maximum to ECG R-wave, having an average correlation of - r = 0.73 for the systolic blood pressure and -r = 0.71 for the diastolic blood pressure.