Enhancement of blood pressure estimation method via machine learning

High Blood Pressure (BP) is one of the most dangerous and widespread diseases due to which uncontrolled BP increases the risk of health problems that affects many body organs. Unfortunately, accurate BP measurements require several medical devices and a specialist person who has experience in BP measurement and measured in separate times. Thus, this paper proposes a simple calibration-free method to estimate BP by training BP and Photoplethysmography (PPG) data signals on a machine learning (ML) regression model. The proposed method overcomes drawbacks of BP measurement accuracy and provides enough capability for reliable and calibration-free BP estimation. The obtained results clarify that the error standard deviation (STD) is about 5.3 and 6.4 mmHg of systolic pressure (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP), respectively. In addition, the mean absolute error (MAE) is about 4.2 and 4.5 mmHg of SP and DP, respectively. These results achieve grade A for both SP and DP based on the Britain Hypertension Society (BHS) standard. Finally, the results of BP estimation regression models meet the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requirements for non-invasive BP devices and consequently they can be utilized later in life experiments. (C) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University.

Automated summary

The study introduces a simple calibration-free method to estimate blood pressure by training machine learning models, overcoming accuracy issues in traditional blood pressure measurements and providing reliable and calibration-free capabilities.