Development and Validation of Heart Rate -incorporated Finger Photoplethysmography Fitness Index Algorithm for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment

Cardiovascular disease is a major health problem in developing countries. The risk factors include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Many parameters had been produced to monitor cardiovascular disease risk. Finger photoplethysmography (PPG) is a simple, low-cost and non-invasive optical method that detects blood volume change in the microvascular bed of the finger. PPG fitness index (PPGF), vascular risk prediction index (VRPI) and estimated vascular age were derived from PPG wave and proposed for assessment of cardiovascular risk. PPGF was produced from AC component of PPG morphological changes against a healthy 19-year-old reference identified from Malaysia population. AC is component of PPG records physiological properties of the arteries. Heart rate (HR) is a known factor that influences vascular function and this factor may affect the PPG parameters. It is important to determine the effect of HR variation on PPGF and to confirm PPGF stability across variable HR so that it will be a valid marker for cardiovascular disease risk. This study aims to develop and validate heart rate-incorporated PPGF algorithm for cardiovascular disease risk assessment. This new algorithm expected to assist in cardiovascular risk monitoring in extensive community setting.