BLOOD PRESSURE

Advantages of taking your own blood pressure:

• Understanding your average, normal blood pressure range on a daily, weekly and monthly basis
  
• Gaining more control over your blood pressure
• Tracking your progress in improving your health (with the Vital Companion App)
  
• Saving time and money from frequent doctor visits
  

Blood pressure has a daily pattern. It is normally lower at night while you’re sleeping and starts to rise a few hours before you wake up. Your blood pressure continues to rise during the day, usually peaking in the middle of the afternoon. Your BP is usually higher in the cold and lower in the heat. Cold temperatures narrow your blood vessels, increasing the pressure needed to pump blood through them. Additionally, other conditions to consider:

• It’s normal to see temporary increases in blood pressure during physical exercise
• Your blood pressure is lower when you have an empty bladder
• Foods (like strong cheese, Coffee, Beer, Cured and processed meats, Spoiled foods) containing the blood-pressure-regulating amino acid tyramine can cause a temporary spike

Diagnostically, blood pressure (BP) is a vital sign that provides critical information about cardiac output, cardiac pressure, and hemodynamic stability. BP correlates well with the risk of advanced cardiovascular disease (ACVD). (Chockalingam) Also, hypertension, a medical condition in which systolic BP is above 140mmHg and/or diastolic BP is above 90mmHg persistently, is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and the single most important risk factor for stroke. Systolic BP is the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts. Diastolic BP is the minimum pressure in the arteries between the heart’s contractions. Using a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal obtained from the fingertip. The system requires user-specific calibrations, and successive measurements are relative to this calibration point. After pressing the Measure BP button on the watch screen the user places his or her finger onto the top PPG sensor. The application collects the necessary BP values. Once the calibration PPG data collection is complete, the application returns the signal value success. The process takes approximately one minute.

PHYSICAL: HEALTH & WELLNESS MONITORING

– TEMPERATURE SENSOR

BODY TEMPERATURE MONITORING

Your body’s puts out heat all the time and when it puts out a lot more or a lot less than usual, it’s trying to tell you there’s a problem. Normal body temperature can vary according to a wide range of factors including a person’s age, time of day and whether someone is active or not. Body temperature may be abnormal due to fever (high temperature) or hypothermia (low temperature) which is strong indicator of your body being not in a healthy condition.

– ACCELEROMETER/GYRO SENSOR

ACTIVITY MONITORING

Your body’s step/movement is monitored to ensure healthy activity levels are obtained.

– PPG SENSOR

HEART RATE / PULSE MONITORING

Heart rate is the speed of the heartbeat measured by the number of contractions of the heart per minute (bpm). The heart rate can vary according to the body’s physical needs. It is usually equal or close to the pulse measured at any peripheral point. Fast heart rates are further associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes (if resting heart rate is over 85 a person has a higher chance of developing diabetes).

HEART RATE VARIABILITY (HRV) MEASUREMENT

HRV determines cardiovascular diseases and abnormal heart rate, sudden cardiac arrest, etc. Considered for predictive analysis – It can help indicate likelihood of diseases that can occur in future like diabetes or heart related problems.Considered for medical condition analysis – It can help determine different medical conditions like anxiety, stress, anger and other heart related problems

BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION

The body lives off of oxygen and keeps the body functioning normally. Most people need a minimum of 89% to maintain health; Low levels can be a sign of lung disease, sleep apnea, asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, heart problems and anemia. Lower levels can cause strain on heart, lungs or liver (levels below 90% can indicate diabetic nephropathy problems). It is also an important indicator of risk of acute mountain sickness and other potentially lethal health risks at high-altitude.

RESPIRATORY RATE

The respiratory rate (how many times you breathe in one minute) is a very sensitive indicator on whether a person is well or not. It is a vital part in all early warning scores. It is often the first parameter that becomes abnormal. It can even indicate an oncoming cold or illness.

– SKIN CONDUCTANCE SENSOR (ADD-IN 1)

Skin conductance level (SCL) and greater skin conductance (SC) variability are measured.

HUMAN EMOTIONAL ANALYSIS

The skin is the only organ that is innervated to the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic activation increases when experiencing excitement, or something important is happening. It increases with stressors – physical, emotional, or cognitive. (autonomic aurasal,aggression, anxiety, depressive episodes etc.). Combined with above temperature- and ppg sensors the user is able to understand how the body physiologically reacts to different type of emotions and improve daily health as well as long term lifestyle choices.

– PATCH SENSOR (ADD-IN 2)

DEHYDRATION/HYPONTREMIA

Sensing too much or too little water intake (sodium surplus or shortage marker). Optimal to monitor and balance for a healthy living, especially useful in dry and/or hot climates.

Dehydration (sodium surplus) is a deficit of total body water with an accompanying disruption of metabolic processes. It occurs when free water loss exceeds free water intake, usually due to exercise, disease, or high environmental temperature. Dehydration can be life-threatening when severe and lead to seizures or respiratory arrest, and also carries the risk of osmotic cerebral edema. Risk factors include hot and humid weather, habitation at high altitudes, endurance athletics, elderly adults, infants, children and people living with chronic illnesses.

Hypontremia (sodium shortage) is caused by too much body water diluting sodium contained in the body. This can cause heart failure, kidney failure, and liver diseases. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea and vomiting, headache, short-term memory loss, confusion, lethargy, fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps, seizures, and decreased consciousness or coma. In some people who exercise, their concern about the potential for dehydration causes them to drink more water than they lose by perspiration. This may cause significant hyponatremia and has been known to be fatal in marathon participants who drink too much fluid without replacing lost sodium, in excess of what their thirst mechanism dictates.

ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM

Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) may cause irregular heartbeats. Other symptoms of low potassium levels are low energy, weakness and stomach pains. If levels become too low, you may feel lightheaded, have slow heartbeats or even die from your heart stopping. Low potassium levels are usually due to excretion through urine or the intestines rather than not getting enough from food. The condition is serious and needs treatment by a doctor. Low potassium levels can also lead to an abnormally fast heart rhythm called tachycardia.

Tachycardia is characterized by a heart rhythm of more than 100 beats per minute. When the heart pumps too fast, it does not allow ample time for the heart chambers to fill up with enough blood to meet your body’s needs. As with bradycardia, tachycardia causes your body tissues to become starved of oxygen.

Bradycardia (high potassium levels) is a slower-than-normal heartbeat characterized by less than 60 beats per minute. When the heart pumps slower than normal, it does not pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. As a result, your tissues become starved of oxygen and you may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, chest pains, shortness of breath, confusion and memory problems. Someone with bradycardia may experience fainting spells and eventually develop heart failure. Bradycardia may trigger a sudden heart attack and even cause death. Certain medications can make it harder for the kidneys to remove potassium. This is particularly true if you have kidney disease or problems with the way your body handles potassium. Medications that have been linked to hyperkalemia include Antibiotics (penicillin G and trimethoprim), Azole antifungals, Blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors, ARB’s, beta-blockers), Herbal supplements, Heparin, a blood thinner and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

PHYCHOLOGICAL: HUMAN EMOTION ANALYSIS

The user is able to understand how the body physiologically reacts to different type of emotions – anger, fear, happiness, love, sadness, depression – and improve daily health as well as long term lifestyle choices. To obtain a complete human emotion analysis system add-in 1 (Skin Conductance) sensor is recommended.

– TEMPERATURE SENSOR

BODY TEMPERATURE SENSOR

Body temperature, specifically at a persons wrist, can react to certain emotions like anger, happiness, sadness, love, depression. In combination with below sensors it can more accurately help determine specific emotions sensed.

– ACCELEROMETER/GYRO SENSOR

ACTIVITY MONITORING

Your body’s physical activity is an excellent complement to understand a persons emotional state (momentous high activity correlates to anger/happiness/anxiety and corresponding low activity to depression).

–PPG SENSOR

The mechanism for measuring emotion is the control of the cardiovascular system by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The heart rate & heart rate variability are influenced by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the ANS.

HEART RATE / PULSE MONITORING

An increase in activity of the sympathetic nervous system leads to an increase in heart rate whilst an increase in parasympathetic activity causes a decrease in the same. In combination with below sensors it can more accurately help determine different emotions like anxiety, stress, anger, arousal.

HEART RATE VARIABILITY (HRV) MEASUREMENT

HRV is common across anxiety-related emotions. It also is a reliable emotional indicator when visual stimulation is involved. Acute and chronic psychosocial stress significantly reduces heart rate variability. People with good HRV tend to be more optimistic, take initiative and are stress resistant. People with low HRV tend to be depressed or anxious and have trouble learning. High HRV individuals may be able to inhibit, predict and develop preferences for decisions in comparison to low HRV individuals.

– SKIN CONDUCTANCE SENSOR (ADD-IN 1)

The skin is the only organ that is innervated to the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic activation increases when experiencing excitement, or something important is happening. It increases with stressors – physical, emotional, or cognitive. (autonomic aurasal, aggression, depressive episodes etc.). Skin conductance is not under conscious control. Instead, it is modulated autonomously by sympathetic activity which drives human behavior, cognitive and emotional states on a subconscious level. Skin conductance, therefore, offers direct insights into autonomous emotional regulation showing how the user emotionally reacts to situations.

ADVANCED HEART MONITORING

For persons with heart problems or diseases the watch’s sensors monitors vital aspects which are related to the heart.

– PPG SENSOR

HEART RATE / PULSE MONITORING

Tachycardia is characterized by a heart rhythm of more than 100 beats per minute. When the heart pumps too fast, it does not allow ample time for the heart chambers to fill up with enough blood to meet your body’s needs. As with bradycardia, tachycardia causes your body tissues to become starved of oxygen.

Bradycardia is a slower-than-normal heartbeat characterized by less than 60 beats per minute. When the heart pumps slower than normal, it does not pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. As a result, your tissues become starved of oxygen and you may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, chest pains, shortness of breath, confusion and memory problems. Someone with bradycardia may experience fainting spells and eventually develop heart failure. Bradycardia may trigger a sudden heart attack and even cause death.

HEART RATE VARIABILITY (HRV) MEASUREMENT

HRV determines cardiovascular diseases and abnormal heart rate, sudden cardiac arrest, etc. Considered for predictive analysis – It can help indicate likelihood of heart related problems. HRV is mainly associated with the prediction of sudden cardiac death and assessing cardiovascular and metabolic illness progression

BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION

The body lives off of oxygen and keeps the body functioning normally. Most people need a minimum of 89% to maintain health; Low levels can be a sign of heart problems and can cause strain on it.

RESPIRATORY RATE

The respiratory rate (how many times you breathe in one minute) is a very sensitive indicator on whether a patient is well or unwell. It is a vital part in all early warning scores. It is often the first parameter that becomes abnormal.

– PATCH SENSOR (ADD-IN 2)

ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM

Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) may cause irregular heartbeats. Other symptoms of low potassium levels are low energy, weakness and stomach pains. If levels become too low, you may feel lightheaded, have slow heartbeats or even die from your heart stopping. Low potassium levels are usually due to excretion through urine or the intestines rather than not getting enough from food. The condition is serious and needs treatment by a doctor. Low potassium levels can also lead to an abnormally fast heart rhythm called tachycardia.

Tachycardia is characterized by a heart rhythm of more than 100 beats per minute. When the heart pumps too fast, it does not allow ample time for the heart chambers to fill up with enough blood to meet your body’s needs. As with bradycardia, tachycardia causes your body tissues to become starved of oxygen.

Bradycardia (high potassium levels) is a slower-than-normal heartbeat characterized by less than 60 beats per minute. When the heart pumps slower than normal, it does not pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. As a result, your tissues become starved of oxygen and you may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, chest pains, shortness of breath, confusion and memory problems. Someone with bradycardia may experience fainting spells and eventually develop heart failure. Bradycardia may trigger a sudden heart attack and even cause death. Certain medications can make it harder for the kidneys to remove potassium. This is particularly true if you have kidney disease or problems with the way your body handles potassium. Medications that have been linked to hyperkalemia include Antibiotics (penicillin G and trimethoprim), Azole antifungals, Blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors, ARB’s, beta-blockers), Herbal supplements, Heparin, a blood thinner and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

The sensor patch’s normal lifetime is a minimum of 6 weeks. They are easily replaced by the user with a new one as shown in a forthcoming instructional video.

PREDICTIVE HEART ATTACK DIAGNOSTICS

For persons with severe heart related problems the watch’s sensors monitors many vital aspects of the body in order to facilitate predictive diagnostics of the heart.

– TEMPERATURE SENSOR

BODY TEMPERATURE

Stroke is common to be related to reduced body temperature.

– PPG SENSOR

HEART RATE /PULSE MONITOR

Tachycardia is characterized by a heart rhythm of more than 100 beats per minute. When the heart pumps too fast, it does not allow ample time for the heart chambers to fill up with enough blood to meet your body’s needs. As with bradycardia, tachycardia causes your body tissues to become starved of oxygen.

Bradycardia is a slower-than-normal heartbeat characterized by less than 60 beats per minute. When the heart pumps slower than normal, it does not pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. As a result, your tissues become starved of oxygen and you may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, chest pains, shortness of breath, confusion and memory problems. Someone with bradycardia may experience fainting spells and eventually develop heart failure. Bradycardia may trigger a sudden heart attack and even cause death.

HEART RATE VARIABILITY (HRV) MEASUREMENT

HRV determines cardiovascular diseases and abnormal heart rate, sudden cardiac arrest, etc. Considered for predictive analysis – It can help indicate likelihood of heart related problems. HRV is mainly associated with the prediction of sudden cardiac death and assessing cardiovascular and metabolic illness progression.

BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION MONITORING

The body lives off of oxygen and keeps the body functioning normally. Most people need a minimum of 89% to maintain health; Low levels can be a sign of heart problems and can cause strain on it.

RESPIRATORY RATE MEASUREMENT

The respiratory rate (how many times you breathe in one minute) is a very sensitive indicator on whether a patient is well or unwell. It is a vital part in all early warning scores. It is often the first parameter that becomes abnormal.

– SKIN CONDUCTANCE SENSOR (ADD-IN 1)

 STRESS MONITOR

Controls the skin for its conductance to tell if a person is under stress. Additionally, sweat is an early indicator of an emerging attack and is a common cause for people to seek medical help. With a skin conductance sensor early warning signs may be noticed significantly earlier taking the necessary pre-cautions.

The skin conductance sensor buttons (add-in 1) normal lifetime is a minimum of 4 weeks. They are easily replaced by the user as shown in instructional video.

– PATCH SENSOR (ADD-IN 2)

ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM

Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) may cause irregular heartbeats. Other symptoms of low potassium levels are low energy, weakness and stomach pains. If levels become too low, you may feel lightheaded, have slow heartbeats or even die from your heart stopping. Low potassium levels are usually due to excretion through urine or the intestines rather than not getting enough from food. The condition is serious and needs treatment by a doctor. Low potassium levels can also lead to an abnormally fast heart rhythm called tachycardia.

Tachycardia is characterized by a heart rhythm of more than 100 beats per minute. When the heart pumps too fast, it does not allow ample time for the heart chambers to fill up with enough blood to meet your body’s needs. As with bradycardia, tachycardia causes your body tissues to become starved of oxygen.

Bradycardia (high potassium levels) is a slower-than-normal heartbeat characterized by less than 60 beats per minute. When the heart pumps slower than normal, it does not pump enough blood to meet the needs of your body. As a result, your tissues become starved of oxygen and you may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, chest pains, shortness of breath, confusion and memory problems. Someone with bradycardia may experience fainting spells and eventually develop heart failure. Bradycardia may trigger a sudden heart attack and even cause death. Certain medications can make it harder for the kidneys to remove potassium. This is particularly true if you have kidney disease or problems with the way your body handles potassium. Medications that have been linked to hyperkalemia include Antibiotics (penicillin G and trimethoprim), Azole antifungals, Blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors, ARB’s, beta-blockers), Herbal supplements, Heparin, a blood thinner and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

The sensor patch’s normal lifetime is a minimum of 6 weeks. They are easily replaced by the user with a new one as shown in a forthcoming instructional video.

PHYSICAL: HEALTH & WELLNESS MONITORING

– TEMPERATURE SENSOR

BODY TEMPERATURE MONITORING

Your body’s puts out heat all the time and when it puts out a lot more or a lot less than usual, it’s trying to tell you there’s a problem. Normal body temperature can vary according to a wide range of factors including a person’s age, time of day and whether someone is active or not. Body temperature may be abnormal due to fever (high temperature) or hypothermia (low temperature) which is strong indicator of your body being not in a healthy condition.

The temperature sensor measures the body’s distal (i.e. external limbs) temperature as it is placed on the wrist. Under normal conditions distal temperature is lower than core body temperature. If the onset of fever occurs a person’s body normally reacts by equalizing the temperature over its different body parts. Thus, if your temperature rises the watch will notify you promptly.

Calibration: After adapting its algorithms to your age, time and activity level, it will present precise temperature data continuously.

– ACCELEROMETER/GYRO SENSOR

ACTIVITY MONITORING

Your body’s step/movement is monitored to ensure healthy activity levels are obtained.

– PPG SENSOR (BACK)

HEART RATE / PULSE MONITORING

Heart rate is the speed of the heartbeat measured by the number of contractions of the heart per minute (bpm). The heart rate can vary according to the body’s physical needs. It is usually equal or close to the pulse measured at any peripheral point. Fast heart rates are further associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes (if resting heart rate is over 85 a person has a higher chance of developing diabetes).

– PPG SENSOR (FRONT)

BLOOD PRESSURE

Advantages of taking your own blood pressure:

• Understanding your average, normal blood pressure range on a daily, weekly and monthly basis
  
• Gaining more control over your blood pressure
• Tracking your progress in improving your health (with the Vital Companion App)
  
• Saving time and money from frequent doctor visits
  

Blood pressure has a daily pattern. It is normally lower at night while you’re sleeping and starts to rise a few hours before you wake up. Your blood pressure continues to rise during the day, usually peaking in the middle of the afternoon. Your BP is usually higher in the cold and lower in the heat. Cold temperatures narrow your blood vessels, increasing the pressure needed to pump blood through them. Additionally, other conditions to consider:

• It’s normal to see temporary increases in blood pressure during physical exercise
• Your blood pressure is lower when you have an empty bladder
• Foods (like strong cheese, Coffee, Beer, Cured and processed meats, Spoiled foods) containing the blood-pressure-regulating amino acid tyramine can cause a temporary spike

Diagnostically, blood pressure (BP) is a vital sign that provides critical information about cardiac output, cardiac pressure, and hemodynamic stability. BP correlates well with the risk of advanced cardiovascular disease (ACVD). (Chockalingam) Also, hypertension, a medical condition in which systolic BP is above 140mmHg and/or diastolic BP is above 90mmHg persistently, is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and the single most important risk factor for stroke. Systolic BP is the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts. Diastolic BP is the minimum pressure in the arteries between the heart’s contractions. Using a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal obtained from the fingertip. The system requires user-specific calibrations, and successive measurements are relative to this calibration point. After pressing the Measure BP button on the watch screen the user places his or her finger onto the top PPG sensor. The application collects the necessary BP values. Once the calibration PPG data collection is complete, the application returns the signal value success. The process takes approximately one minute.

.

BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION

The body lives off of oxygen and keeps the body functioning normally. Most people need a minimum of 89% to maintain health; Low levels can be a sign of lung disease, sleep apnea, asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, heart problems and anemia. Lower levels can cause strain on heart, lungs or liver (levels below 90% can indicate diabetic nephropathy problems). It is also an important indicator of risk of acute mountain sickness and other potentially lethal health risks at high-altitude.