Now, your looks are more important than ever — it could reveal your risk of heart disease

By: Editorial Team | | Updated: September 17, 2014 12:37 pm

If you are someone who worries about their looks, you are not wrong to do so. According to a recent study your facial features could potentially reveal if you are experiencing atrial fibrillation or not.

Atrial fibrillation is a dangerous yet treatable heart condition which is characterized by increased and irregular heart beat. The scientists have demonstrated that with the help of a software algorithm and a web camera, the minute changes occurring in the skin colour due to uneven blood flow in the person experiencing atrial fibrillation. Jean-Philippe Couderc, a member of the University of Rochester’s heart research follow-up program said, ‘This scientific technology holds clue to identify and diagnose various heart complications with the use of contact less video monitoring.’ (Read: How heart disease manifests differently in men and women)

The technology employs a software algorithm developed by Xerox Corporation Ltd that scans the face and can detect changes in skin colour that are imperceptible to the naked eye. Sensors in digital cameras are designed to record three colours: red, green and blue. Hemoglobin – a component of blood – absorbs more of the green in the spectrum of light and this subtle change can be detected by the camera’s sensor. During the study, participants were simultaneously hooked up to an electrocardiogram (ECG) so results from the facial scan could be compared to the actual electrical activity of the heart. (Read: Rheumatoid arthritis linked to stroke and atrial fibrillation)

The researchers found that the colour changes detected by video monitoring corresponded with an individual’s heart rate as detected on an ECG. ‘Essentially, the irregular electrical activity of the heart found in people with atrial fibrillation could be identified by observing the pulses of blood flowing through the veins on the face as it absorbed or reflected green light with each heart beat,’ Couderc explained. The study found that the video monitoring technique called videoplethymography had an error rate of 20 percent, comparable to the 17 to 29 percent error rate associated with ECG measurements. The results were published online in the journal Heart Rhythm. (Read: Abnormal heartbeat linked to faster cognitive decline)

What is Atrial fibrillation?

This is the most common type of tachycardia where the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and chaotically more than 100 beats per minute up to 175 beats or even more.

In atrial fibrillation, the impulses don’t begin in sinus node, rather, they begin in the pulmonary veins in the left atrium spreading out the signals throughout the atria in a rapid, disorganized way (not in a regular pattern). The erratic signaling causes the upper chambers to quiver. Hence the term ‘fibrillation’. This confuses the ventricles and they too start beating very fast. But the impulses don’t reach the ventricles as fast as they arrive. So the ventricles don’t beat as fast as the atria. This creates a fast, irregular heart rhythm because the atria and ventricles no longer beat in a coordinated way.

This leads to heart failure in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It is not a life threatening condition but may require emergency attention in some cases.

Symptoms:

You may not observe any symptoms at all or you may experience the following symptoms –

Fast irregular heartbeat, or a ‘flopping’ sensations in your chest
Low blood pressure, lightheadedness, weakness, confusion
Shortness of breath and chest pain

(Read: Tachycardia or increased heart rate — 5 causes you should know)

With inputs from IANS

Image Source: Getty Images

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Published : August 30, 2014 1:43 pm | Updated:September 17, 2014 12:37 pm

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