Heartbeatsignalen

Heartbeatsignalen, or heartbeat signals, are periodic indicators of cardiac activity. In medical contexts they reflect electrical or mechanical events in the heart and are used to assess heart rate, rhythm, and cardiovascular health. The primary biological source is the heart's electrical conduction system, which originates in the sinoatrial node, propagates through the atrioventricular node, and triggers coordinated myocardial contraction. The resulting signals can be detected directly by electrocardiography (ECG) or indirectly through peripheral measurements such as photoplethysmography (PPG).

Measurement and interpretation: The ECG records the timing and morphology of heartbeats, yielding heart rate and rhythm, while PPG captures pulse wave changes in blood volume. Continuous monitoring in hospitals or ambulatory wearables provides heart rate data and heart rate variability, which are used to assess autonomic function, stress, and potential cardiac or vascular conditions. Normal resting heart rate varies by age and fitness, typically about 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults; HRV reflects the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.

Applications and limitations: Heartbeat signals are central to clinical monitoring, anesthesia, and rehabilitation, and they underpin fitness trackers and telemedicine platforms. Artifacts from movement, poor sensor contact, or lighting can affect accuracy, and interpretation requires context such as activity level and medical history. In some computing contexts, a related concept—heartbeat or liveness signals—is used to indicate that a system component is operational; missed signals can trigger alerts or recovery actions.