Actiheart Guide to Getting Started 5.1.11 (Feb 2020)
20
7.0
Checking Signal Integrity and Performing a Test Recording
Before starting any multi-day recording it is recommended that a short signal test
be carried out. This is to check that the level of R wave signal being picked up by
the Actiheart is adequate and helps to avoid serious recordings being marred by
artefacts due to either high noise or a low R wave signal.
The test involves making a short recording and analysing the signal using a built
in utility called
Signal Test
which provides a Pass/Fail indication of whether each
part of the recorded signal is acceptable. For full details on analysing a signal
test recording please see the main
Actiheart User Manual
.
Since artefacts are often aggravated by poor adhesion of the pads with the skin
and movement of the pads relative to the skin during exercise
it is important
that:
a.
The pads are worn for at least 30 minutes before conducting the test.
b.
The subject moves around and even jogs on the spot for a few minutes
during the test.
It is only necessary to record for a few minutes for this test
– it is not designed to
view longer recordings, and 10 minutes will be more than sufficient.
The method described below for making a recording and downloading the data to
the PC for analysis applies equally to the various other recording modes
described in the User Manual and summarised in
Section 8
of this guide.
7.1 How to set up a
Signal Test
Connect the Actiheart to its micro-USB lead and to the PC. Look carefully before
inserting the connector
. The internal “D” orientation can be observed, or you can
note that the USB connector icon should be visible upwards on the lead when
connected to the Actiheart 5 with its label upwards.
The signal test can also be performed with an Actiheart 4. In general, when using
any setup function in the software, you may attempt to connect an Actiheart 5,
Actiheart 4 & dock, or Actiwave Cardio & dock and the software will attempt to
offer you the most suitable modes in all cases. Note however that not all
capabilities are equal, and that only ONE of these devices should be connected
to the PC at once. If the relevant selection does not appear, check that all other
CamNtech devices are disconnected from USB.
From the main menu, click
the ‘Signal Test’ button. Selecting ‘Setup’ then brings
up a window where you may add a new user
by clicking ‘Add New’ (see section
6.2 for details) or find an existing user
by clicking ‘Find’.
After the user is selected or created, the following screen will then be displayed:
