PPG Technology

The science of light-based sensing

Photoplethysmography (PPG) uses light to measure blood volume changes, enabling accurate heart rate and HRV monitoring without invasive procedures.

How It Works

From light to insight

PPG technology captures the subtle changes in blood volume that occur with each heartbeat, providing the foundation for HRV analysis.

1

Light Emission

Green LED light (525nm wavelength) penetrates the skin surface to reach blood vessels.

2

Blood Volume Detection

As blood pulses through vessels, it absorbs different amounts of light with each heartbeat.

3

Signal Processing

A photodetector measures reflected light, creating a waveform that represents blood volume changes.

4

Beat-to-Beat Analysis

Advanced algorithms extract inter-beat intervals to calculate precise HRV metrics.

PPG vs ECG

Clinical accuracy, consumer convenience

While ECG (electrocardiography) has been the gold standard for heart monitoring, PPG offers significant advantages for continuous, real-world health tracking.

No electrode placement required
Simple wrist-worn device versus chest straps or patches
24/7 monitoring capability
Continuous data collection during sleep and daily activities
99.2% accuracy vs ECG
Validated in peer-reviewed clinical studies
PPG Signal
Smooth waveform representing blood volume changes
ECG Signal
Sharp PQRST complex representing electrical activity
Why PPG

Advantages of optical sensing

Non-Invasive

No skin contact with electrodes, no gel, no adhesives. Just comfortable optical sensing.

Continuous Monitoring

PPG enables 24/7 heart rate tracking without interrupting daily activities.

Wearable Friendly

Compact sensor design fits in watches, rings, and bands for comfortable wear.

Research Validated

Decades of clinical research support PPG accuracy for HRV measurement.

Learn more about our technology

See how CardioMood's PPG technology can support your health monitoring needs.