seismocardiogram

A seismocardiogram (SCG) is a non-invasive measurement of the vibrations produced by the beating heart. These vibrations are generated by the mechanical events of the cardiac cycle, such as the contraction of the ventricles, the closing of heart valves, and the ejection of blood. The SCG captures these minute movements on the chest wall using sensitive accelerometers.

The signal obtained from an SCG represents the physical forces exerted by the heart's mechanical activity. It is distinct from an electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart. While the ECG indicates when electrical impulses are generated and propagate, the SCG reveals the resulting physical motion. Different components of the SCG waveform correspond to specific cardiac events, offering insights into the timing and intensity of these processes.

SCG technology has applications in various areas of cardiovascular monitoring. It can be used to assess cardiac function, detect arrhythmias, and evaluate the impact of different conditions or treatments on heart mechanics. Its non-invasive nature makes it suitable for continuous or ambulatory monitoring. Research is ongoing to further refine SCG analysis and integrate it with other physiological signals for more comprehensive cardiac assessment. Potential future uses include early disease detection and personalized medicine approaches in cardiology.