How to make ECG (electrocardiograph) from usb oscilloscope? (Analog Discovery)

[anil]

This evening, I felt faint while walking (not even running!) on the treadmill.

I had an idea - am wondering if it is possible to use  Analog Discovery as an ECG? (electrocardiograph)

I am a newbie so am not able to build sophisticated circuits.

[JColvin]

Hi anil,

 

The short answer is yes, you could potentially use the Analog Discovery as an ECG, although this project goes beyond the scope of what Digilent does as a company.

 

However, there will likely be quite a bit of circuit building since you would need to get some sort of capacitive component (or whatever they use for the electrodes) and set up Waveforms to appropriately decode the incoming information. And if you're non-medical savvy like me, all the ECG would show is your heart rate which you can find just measuring your pulse. 

 

What I would recommend as a unofficial, unsanctioned bit of advice is to make sure you eat sometime before getting on the treadmill to make sure that your blood sugar is high enough, lest your muscles use up all of the immediately available energy stores, causing you to feel faint.

 

Thanks,

JColvin