Pulse Meter using Arduino Nano | DIY Heart Rate Monitor

19 Nov, 2024
Posted by: BATFLAP TECH PVT LTD Admin

Monitoring heart rate is a fascinating intersection of health and technology. In this blog, we’ll guide you through building a pulse meter using an Arduino Nano and a pulse sensor module. This simple project is perfect for beginners exploring wearable tech, DIY health monitoring, or just learning how sensors work!

Understanding the Pulse Sensor

The pulse sensor is a lightweight, easy-to-use module that measures heart rate by detecting changes in blood flow from a fingertip or earlobe. These changes are converted into electrical signals, which are processed by the Arduino Nano to calculate beats per minute (BPM).

Key Features of the Pulse Sensor:

Compact and lightweight for DIY wearable projects.
Outputs analog signals based on heartbeat detection.
Easy integration with microcontrollers like Arduino.

Components Needed

To build your pulse meter, you’ll need the following components:

Arduino Nano
Pulse Sensor Module
OLED Display (optional) for visualizing heart rate readings
Jumper Wires
Breadboard (optional)

Wiring the Components

Connections:

Pulse Sensor:
- VCC → 5V (Arduino Nano)
- GND → GND (Arduino Nano)
- Signal → A0 (Analog pin on Arduino Nano)
OLED Display (optional):
- VCC → 5V
- GND → GND
- SDA → A4
- SCL → A5

You can find the detailed schematic and code for this project on our GitHub page:
GitHub Repository

How It Works

Heartbeat Detection:
The pulse sensor detects variations in blood flow as you place your fingertip on it. These variations correspond to your heartbeats.
Processing:
The Arduino Nano reads the sensor’s analog output and determines if it exceeds the predefined threshold. If a heartbeat is detected, it calculates the time difference between beats to compute the BPM.
Display:
The calculated BPM is displayed on an OLED screen (if connected) or output via the serial monitor.

Applications

Wearable Health Tech: Integrate this setup into a wristband or smartwatch for continuous heart rate monitoring.
Fitness Projects: Track your heart rate during workouts or yoga sessions.
Learning Platform: A great project to understand sensors, signal processing, and DIY electronics.

Video Tutorial

Watch a quick demo of the Pulse Meter project on our YouTube channel:
🔗 Pulse Meter Using Arduino Nano | KitKraft India

Conclusion

This Pulse Meter using Arduino Nano is a fantastic introduction to the world of health monitoring and electronics. With just a few components, you can create a project that combines technology and health in a meaningful way.

For more DIY electronics kits and components, visit Kitkraft.in!