Cuffless blood pressure estimation from the carotid pulse arrival time using continuous wave radar

Abstract

Ambulatory blood pressure monitors based on pulse transit time are limited by the challenge of changing vascular tone. This study focuses on the use of the carotid artery as an alternative location for arterial pulse acquisition. We use continuous wave radio frequency (RF) radar coupled directly to the body to detect the pulse wave signal. We have shown that the blood pressure-pulse transit time calibration using the carotid pulse is as accurate as that of the radial arterial pulse. The results of this investigation may be useful in developing wearable sensors for long-term monitoring of the pulse wave signal at the carotid artery.