Replacing low quality heart rate measurements with a simulated signal generated form a relationship between measured activity level and heart rate

摘要

The heart rate of a human or animal is monitored by measuring at least one heart rate or electrocardiogram (ECG) signal and measuring at least one activity level signal. When the heart rate or ECG signal is of low quality it is rejected and replaced by a simulated heart rate or ECG signal. The simulated heart rate signal is calculated from a previously determined relationship between the activity signal and the heart rate or ECG signal. The relationship is determined at times when the heart rate or ECG data is of good quality. The heart rate signal may be of low quality or unreliable due to poor electrode contact. The rejection of an unreliable the heart rate signal may be determined based on quality criteria (e.g. skewness, frequency content of signal). Physical activity level may be measured using an accelerometer, camera system or GPS system.