Happitech, Arrhythmia Alliance and Bug Labs are to announce the launch of the Heart for Heart e-health initiative. This programme asks people to participate in the world’s largest crowdsourced heart health initiative by inviting them to contribute their heart rhythm data using the free Heart for Heart iPhone App.
Yosef Safi Harb, Founder of Happitech. “The data generated by Heart for Heart will be used to better differentiate between atrial fibrillation (AF) and a regular heartbeat rhythm. This will speed up the development and accuracy of the technology and create insights into new health correlations.”
The data generated by Heart for Heart is to be used to improve differentiation between Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and a Regular Heart Rate. Heart for Heart gives the users full control of the data they want to share and keeps it anonymied, aggregated and untraceable. The App also contains an information module about the symptoms, causes and treatment options of AF.
The collected data will be shared and visualised using Bug Labs’ web-based, Freeboard platform, updated every three weeks.
Arrhythmia Alliance’s focus is to raise awareness for the many millions of people affected by heart rhythm disorders.
For doctors, it is paramount to know what is exactly going on with the heart at the time of irregular heart rhythm episodes. Jonas de Jong, electrophysiologist and founder of ECGpedia.org says, “Intermittent AF can be difficult to diagnose. Many heart rhythm disorders are only briefly present and people miss out on a proper diagnosis. With undiagnosed and untreated AF, a blood clot may form inside the heart’s atria, due to insufficient blood flow. Being able to detect AF on the spot improves its diagnosis, allows for its proper treatment and will positively alter the prognosis.”
“More than a third of those with AF are completely unaware that they have this condition,” says Trudie Lobban, founder & chief executive officer of Arrhythmia Alliance & AF Association. “Why should patients live in fear of an AF-related stroke, heart failure, or worse when they have the solution to help detect AF literally at their fingertips?”
It is possible to detect heart rhythm disorders just using your smartphone camera. By placing your finger on the camera, the Happitech algorithms can detect even the smallest variations in your heartbeat. The underlying validated heart rate technology is currently being used by health and coaching companies in the areas of stress, life expectancy, fitness and mindfulness.
Robert Riezebos, cardiologist, says, “The Heart for Heart initiative will speed up the development of reliable heart rhythm analysis using only a smartphone. For patients to be able to diagnose a rhythm disorder, 24/7, anywhere in the world, without extra hardware and being able to communicate the raw data with their physician would be a huge step forward. However, the smartphone method should be robust and reliable in order to minimise false positive and -negative results. When the technique proves to be successful, it will alter the way we work as cardiologist.”
