Search
Close this search box.

Home

Heartbeat Sensor using Arduino (Heart Rate Monitor)

Heartbeat Sensor is an electronic device that is used to measure the heart rate i.e. speed of the heartbeat. Monitoring body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure are the basic things that we do in order to keep us healthy.

In order to measure the body temperature, we use thermometers and a sphygmomanometer to monitor the Arterial Pressure or Blood Pressure.

Heart Rate can be monitored in two ways: one way is to manually check the pulse either at wrists or neck and the other way is to use a Heartbeat Sensor.

In this project, we have designed a Heart Rate Monitor System using Arduino and Heartbeat Sensor. You can find the Principle of Heartbeat Sensor, working of the Heartbeat Sensor and Arduino based Heart Rate Monitoring System using a practical heartbeat Sensor. 

Output Video

Introduction to Heartbeat Sensor

Monitoring heart rate is very important for athletes, patients as it determines the condition of the heart (just heart rate). There are many ways to measure heart rate and the most precise one is using an Electrocardiography

But the more easy way to monitor the heart rate is to use a Heartbeat Sensor. It comes in different shapes and sizes and allows an instant way to measure the heartbeat.

Heartbeat Sensors are available in Wrist Watches (Smart Watches), Smart Phones, chest straps, etc. The heartbeat is measured in beats per minute or bpm, which indicates the number of times the heart is contracting or expanding in a minute. 

Heartbeat Sensor Image 7

Principle of Heartbeat Sensor

The principle behind the working of the Heartbeat Sensor is Photoplethysmograph. According to this principle, the changes in the volume of blood in an organ is measured by the changes in the intensity of the light passing through that organ.

Usually, the source of light in a heartbeat sensor would be an IR LED and the detector would be any Photo Detector like a Photo Diode, an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) or a Photo Transistor.

With these two i.e. a light source and a detector, we can arrange them in two ways: A Transmissive Sensor and a Reflective Sensor.

In a Transmissive Sensor, the light source and the detector are place facing each other and the finger of the person must be placed in between the transmitter and receiver.

Reflective Sensor, on the other hand, has the light source and the detector adjacent to each other and the finger of the person must be placed in front of the sensor. 

Here are few simple Arduino Projects: 10 SIMPLE ARDUINO PROJECTS FOR BEGINNERS.

Working of Heartbeat Sensor

A simple Heartbeat Sensor consists of a sensor and a control circuit. The sensor part of the Heartbeat Sensor consists of an IR LED and a Photo Diode placed in a clip.

The Control Circuit consists of an Op-Amp IC and few other components that help in connecting the signal to a Microcontroller. The working of the Heartbeat Sensor can be understood better if we take a look at its circuit diagram.

Heartbeat Sensor Image 9

 

The above circuit shows the finger type heartbeat sensor, which works by detecting the pulses. Every heartbeat will alter the amount of blood in the finger and the light from the IR LED passing through the finger and thus detected by the Photo Diode will also vary.

The output of the photo diode is given to the non – inverting input of the first op – amp through a capacitor, which blocks the DC Components of the signal. The first op – amp cats as a non – inverting amplifier with an amplification factor of 1001.

The output of the first op – amp is given as one of the inputs to the second op – amp, which acts as a comparator. The output of the second op – amp triggers a transistor, from which, the signal is given to a Microcontroller like Arduino.

The Op – amp used in this circuit is LM358. It has two op – amps on the same chip. Also, the transistor used is a BC547. An LED, which is connected to transistor, will blink when the pulse is detected.

Circuit of Arduino based Heart Rate Monitor using Heartbeat Sensor

The following image shows the circuit diagram of the Arduino based Heart Rate Monitor using Heartbeat Sensor. The sensor has a clip to insert the finger and has three pins coming out of it for connecting VCC, GND and the Data. 

Heartbeat Sensor Circuit Diagram

Components Required

  • Arduino UNO x 1 [Buy Here]
  • 16 x 2 LCD Display x 1 [Buy Here]
  • 10KΩ Potentiometer 
  • 330Ω Resistor (Optional – for LCD backlight) 
  • Push Button 
  • Heartbeat Sensor Module with Probe (finger based) 
  • Mini Breadboard 
  • Connecting Wires 

Circuit Design of Interfacing Heartbeat Sensor with Arduino

The circuit design of Arduino based Heart rate monitor system using Heart beat Sensor is very simple. First, in order to display the heartbeat readings in bpm, we have to connect a 16×2 LCD Display to the Arduino UNO.

The 4 data pins of the LCD Module (D4, D5, D6 and D7) are connected to Pins 1, 1, 1 and 1 of the Arduino UNO. Also, a 10KΩ Potentiometer is connected to Pin 3 of LCD (contrast adjust pin). The RS and E (Pins 3 and 5) of the LCD are connected to Pins 1 and 1 of the Arduino UNO.

Next, connect the output of the Heartbeat Sensor Module to the Analog Input Pin (Pin 1) of Arduino. 

Heartbeat Sensor Image 2
Heartbeat Sensor Image 3
Heartbeat Sensor Image 4
Heartbeat Sensor Image 5
Heartbeat Sensor Image 6

Working of the Circuit

Upload the code to Arduino UNO and Power on the system. The Arduino asks us to place our finger in the sensor and press the switch.

Place any finger (except the Thumb) in the sensor clip and push the switch (button). Based on the data from the sensor, Arduino calculates the heart rate and displays the heartbeat in bpm.

While the sensor is collecting the data, sit down and relax and do not shake the wire as it might result in a faulty values.

After the result is displayed on the LCD, if you want to perform another test, just push the rest button on the Arduino and start the procedure once again. 

CODE

Applications of Heart Rate Monitor using Arduino

  • A simple project involving Arduino UNO, 16×2 LCD and Heartbeat Sensor Module is designed here which can calculate the heart rate of a person.
  • This project can be used as an inexpensive alternative to Smart Watches and other expensive Heart Rate Monitors.

102 Responses

      1. This code is showing error’s…and
        Some are red in colour which is not getting executed, kindly help me out.

      2. this codes also shows high values like 6k bpm. can you please tell us why and what to do to change it ?

  1. Hi,

    Could you pls help me to get the video of “Heartbeat sensor using Arduino (Heart rate monitor)”.
    Also pls let me know the step by step process for the same.

    Waiting for your response.

      1. Hi,

        Could you pls let me know the advantages of this project [Heartbeat Sensor using Arduino (Heart Rate Monitor)] over the Heartbeat using Mobile Apps??

        Also how can we determine the Accuracy of this project?

  2. Hi,

    Thanks for your reply.
    I have assembled components based on the mentioned circuit diagram. In addition to the mentioned circuit diagram and code, I have used 1 LED interfaced with Push button. And I have used KY-039 heartbeat sensor.
    But I’m facing a problem when I press the button, It repeats the text on LCD as “Place The Finger And Press Start”.
    Could you pls let me know how can this issue be solved at the earliest??

  3. Great job! Thanks for sharing it.

    I’m still waiting for you to upload the code for the robatic arm. Are you planning to share the code at any time?
    Thank you,

  4. can you please give me directions on where to buy the components for this project and the detailed code. thanks , awaiting your reply

  5. Sir can u please give the step by step procedure for doing this project??
    Since I have choosen this project as my bsc final year project.

    Please can I get the code properly and all information about this project??

  6. Helo sir heartbeat sensor circuit diagram doesn’t works
    Can u please upload circuit diagram beard board connection video

    1. Its not working the heartbeat 0 bpm always , pls give us the breadboard circuit connection video!
      Thank you !

  7. can you please describe what this part mean in the code ?
    byte customChar1[8] = {0b00000,0b00000,0b00011,0b00111,0b01111,0b01111,0b01111,0b01111};
    byte customChar2[8] = {0b00000,0b11000,0b11100,0b11110,0b11111,0b11111,0b11111,0b11111};
    byte customChar3[8] = {0b00000,0b00011,0b00111,0b01111,0b11111,0b11111,0b11111,0b11111};
    byte customChar4[8] = {0b00000,0b10000,0b11000,0b11100,0b11110,0b11110,0b11110,0b11110};
    byte customChar5[8] = {0b00111,0b00011,0b00001,0b00000,0b00000,0b00000,0b00000,0b00000};
    byte customChar6[8] = {0b11111,0b11111,0b11111,0b11111,0b01111,0b00111,0b00011,0b00001};
    byte customChar7[8] = {0b11111,0b11111,0b11111,0b11111,0b11110,0b11100,0b11000,0b10000};
    byte customChar8[8] = {0b11100,0b11000,0b10000,0b00000,0b00000,0b00000,0b00000,0b00000};

  8. I want to add an enzyme device in the case of heart rate less than 67 and alarm in the case of heartbeat higher than 80 possible limit modify the code

  9. I had to build the control circuit due to non availability. . But now the output heart beat is coming in the range of 2000 and above.. what could be the reason

    1. Make sure that all the connections are correct. Check if the LCD is working with Arduino or not (like displaying “Hello World”). Try to change the Pins of Arduino (which are connected to the LCD). I assure you that the code is tested and works well.

  10. Hello can you tell me where can buy the clip to insert finger and control circuit or heartbeat sensor? Can you email me the link please? Thank you..

    1. Sorry. We bought the sensor (and the clip) from a local electronics store. Not sure about its online availability.

    1. We are taking the count for a period of 10 seconds. This result is being multiplied by 6 to get the beats per minute value.

    1. Connect your Arduino to the computer and open Arduino IDE. Select the correct Arduino board and PORT. Type in your code and click on upload.

  11. Hello! can anybody help me please ! I realised this project and I’m facing a problem. I used a KY 039 detector wish is made with a phototransistor and photodiode. When I place my finger in it the lcd screen shows an anormal response like 6024 BPM . I don’t know what the problem is. Give me some heeeelp pleaaaaase . Thank youuuuu

    1. Firstly don’t use lcd, do step by step ,use ir transmitter , Photodiode, op amp lm358, led and first read about how lm358 work and it’s pin configuration then without arduino use it and after that move for lcd and arduino and if you want to see the heart beat firstly use arduino serial monitor to see the output

  12. please how can i get the CIRCUIT diagram for the control circuit based on the LM358 and its components involved

  13. What to do if i wants to calculate data continuously without pressing the button(but measure for 10 sec when it gets a pulse) and wants to show the bpm in Android bluetooth terminal?

  14. Sorry i need the numbers which introduce that heartbeart sensor with probe…and also the number of that controler circuit with LM358….because i want to buy them online.

    What if i use KY039,do i need to change the code or to change the gain???

    Is it possible to connect (join) this circuit with the temperature sensor in order to display the BPM and the value of temperature of surrounding at the same time with the same LCD????

    Please i need your response…help!!!!!!!

  15. Sir may i ask the features of this system about 4 feature please thanks it would be a huge help

  16. Can this work without the LM358? I connected the data pin of the sensor into A0, ground to ground and power to 5v.

  17. Sir please can you help me out
    Whenever I measure the heartbeat it’s result is always given in 6054 please kindly help me sort this very problem

  18. Hi
    I built the circuit but it’s not working… Can you please help me with step by step process.. How to connect n wat to connect..

    Waiting for your response..

  19. Hello….i have given the circuit connection and uploaded the code but it is not working……i have used 3 pin heart rate sensor

  20. the lcd display doesn’t show anything . why this happened and also in video you say 20 k pot and required component show 10k pot.

  21. Hi,
    Could you please upload the code of the project please or send it to me by email? I need it as soon as possible! Thanks!

  22. Hi,
    i have used little different heartbeat sensor(with finger probe) but did the same connection and tried to connect to the system.
    The code is error free but im not able to select the port, i really dont knw wat is the problem
    can anyone please suggest me wat can be the error in connection?????……..

  23. Please provide link to purchase this kind of heart rate sensor, also provide it’s proper name to find on internet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *