For the last twenty years my colleagues and I have worked on creating software and hardware that analyzed heart rate variability (HRV). If you have never heard of such a thing, don’t feel bad, HRV is mostly used by health professionals and researchers, and is very limited among the nonprofessional population. However, we decided that it was time to expand the user base of this new technology, and create a product that would make heart rate variability useful for all, instead of just a select few. Collection of fresh scientific knowledge in this field of study, along with our own two decade research experience and feedback from our clients, stimulated us to turn this idea of universally useful HRV technology into a business model that would center its focus on the topic of health.
The goal was to create an HRV based system that would be able to analyze the main health aspects of a person’s body and present simple and easy to understand results. Such a system must also be able to give recommendations based on the results and most importantly, be affordable as well as user friendly.
We figured that simplicity of use could be derived from a graphic interface which presented itself as a wizard. Clear, step by step instructions will make the product easily understandable to anyone who knows how to use a computer. HRV stands of heart rate variability and therefore requires a heart rate monitoring device. We chose to use a low cost device called a PPG detector. This device is durable and easy to use.
The next step in the process had to do with deciding on the user services for the HRV based system. One thing was certain; the system would have to be able to analyze different aspects of health. The question was; how could we do this best, using just heart rate variability analyses. In the first stage of development, we chose three main components that we thought were important for health evaluation and at the same time could be monitored through HRV. They are the following:
1. A general evaluation of the regulatory system in the body. What does that mean? Everyone knows that there needs to be balance in nature. Human body is no exception. For example, we need balance between work and free time. If the body becomes too active, the regulatory system immediately activates a process of relaxation in order to relieve stress and restore balance. In a healthy person, these balancing processes contain a certain level of function. A drop in that level or even a lack of balance between these processes is a first sign of unpleasant changes taking place in the body. In the long run, such changes can cause various health problems. Fortunately, they can be detected early through an evaluation of the regulatory system using heart rate variability analyses. In Heart Wizard this evaluation is known as the Health Snapshot.
2. An evaluation of the body’s fitness level. What does that mean? It is no secret that an individual’s fitness can say a lot about his or her health. Everyone can see the difference between someone who can easily run a few miles and someone who can’t walk even one hundred yards. The difference between the two has to do with their level of fitness. There are many tests that you can find on the internet which will supposedly help you determine your level of fitness. Their main idea is always the same; do physical exercise such as sit ups or step ups during a certain time interval, and then measure your heart rate. Unfortunately, that method has some problems. First of all it is hard to standardize such tests because one person can do more sit ups or step ups in the same interval of time. Second of all, measuring heart rate after exercise is too difficult. And if you want to do it accurately, you must use a device. The value of such tests is not great simply because of their inaccuracy. They were created a long time ago when computers didn’t exist, and helped people evaluate their fitness. Using such test now days is like walking from New Jersey to New York instead of drive in a car or riding a bicycle. It is possible but not effective. Using HRV is a simple and effective way to evaluate fitness. In Heart Wizard this evaluation is known as the Fitness Test.
3. An evaluation of the body’s stress level. What does that mean? Stress is another important aspect when it comes to looking at health in general. Alone, stress acts as a shield reaction for the body, allowing an individual to adapt in extreme situations. At a time of stress, the body experiences a process which mobilizes inner reserves for resistance to the negative outside factors. If this happens rarely, it does not cause any harm to your health. A good rest after a high level of stress refuels all of the body’s inner reserves. However, if you experience stress on a daily basis, and have no opportunity to regenerate, the inner reserves become depleted and lead to health problems. Someone will probably ask "well why do I need to evaluate this, I know when I am or am not stressed?" This is true, for extreme cases stress is evidence without the use of any special device. However imagine that you’re talking to someone on the phone. In the process of the conversation, you might not even notice the amount of times you are gripped with anxiety. If talking on the phone is your job and you do this for hours each day, only monitoring your body can answer the question on just how stressful work is, and how much harm it causes to your health. Someone will say that "my work doesn’t involve taking on the telephone." In this case try to assess the amount of stress you feel while watching a movie or a reality show. Many instances exist, where it is important to monitor and asses the levels of stress in your body. Don’t forget that in Heart Wizard this particular component is known as the Stress Monitor.
In addition to the three components described above, we have created a service capable of determining your true biological age. Many would agree that it is hard to guess the age of a person. Some look like they may be 40 but in reality are 50. Others look like they may be 50 and it turns out they are really 40. Calendar age reflects only the amount of years that have passed since birth. While biological age takes in to account the quality and circumstances of an individual’s life as well as his or her health. Heart rate variability analysis happens to be the tool which can be used to determine this biological age. And that is why the Biological Age test was later added to an already plentiful Heart Wizard bundle of services.
Evaluations of regulatory balance, fitness level, stress and biological age do not cover all aspects of health. However, these services do allow an individual to easily monitor his or her health and take appropriate actions before light irregularities in the body evolve in to severe problems requiring doctor intervention.
And that’s how Heart Wizard was born. Later, we will discuss each component of the Heart Wizard separately and perhaps share with you the story behind the title.