The University of Manchester has created a simple procedure that enables people to observe their electrocardiogram (ECG) for long QT syndrome triggered by medication. Before this, people had to have an ECG done in a hospital by a professionally qualified clinician. Scientists have portrayed that if colour is utilised the correct way, then people can observe hospital-level health data themselves with ease – the research is published in PLoS One.

The state-of-the-art technique operates on a single ECG, which is the heart reading on a smartwatch. A spectrum of colour is implemented under the ECG signal from blue to red, where warm tones indicate the more elevated risk of long QT syndrome.

“The University of Manchester has created a simple procedure that enables people to observe their ECG.“

Dr Caroline Jay, Manchester University, stated: “For decades we’ve assumed that only medical experts can interpret ECGs. We now have evidence that if you display an ECG in the right way, it can easily be interpreted by a patient. Here we’ve shown that it is simple for lay people to understand when they might be at risk of long QT syndrome. Empowering people to understand and monitor their own ECG is a huge leap forward for public health, as it will reduce the number of times people have to go into hospital for routine check-ups, and ensure they get emergency medical attention as soon as they need it.”