Question 1

Why heart rate is worth monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Please click here.

Question 2

How does HealthKam work?

Accepted Answer

While you are using your device, HealthKam captures short videos of your face using the front camera. The videos are processed on the device to extract a set of numbers that are sent to the cloud for further processing to extract heart rate. The videos are then deleted from the device.

Question 3

Will my heart rate information be captured no matter how I’m using my device?

Accepted Answer

As long as you are using your device in a well-lit area and are facing the screen so that the upper ¾ of your face is being captured by the camera, your heart rate information will be captured. We have found that tipping the phone or tablet to 45 degrees or greater while facing it improves the likelihood that good heart rate readings can be obtained. In other words, while reading emails, watching programming or playing games, it is best not to lay the device flat.  Note that unless you are using the speakerphone function, the APP will not capture heart rate information while you are making a phone call.

Question 4

Are recordings being captured when my home screen goes black?

Accepted Answer

No. You will need to “activate” your phone or tablet screen for recordings to resume capturing heart rate information.

Question 5

Will heavy make-up or glasses interfere with my recordings?

Accepted Answer

Glasses should not influence the quality of heart rate recordings obtained by your device. Heavy make-up, however, could interfere as it may affect the camera’s ability to decipher subtle changes in your natural skin color.

Question 6

Is my privacy protected? Do you watch videos taken on my device?

Accepted Answer

HealthKam does not send videos or photos from your device. The videos are immediately deleted after processing. The data sent from your device to the cloud are non-identifying streams of numbers.

Question 7

Would HealthKam deplete my battery?

Accepted Answer

HealthKam requires marginal battery power. On most devices, typical use would not deplete your battery much faster than before.

Question 8

Would HealthKam slow down my device?

Accepted Answer

HealthKam is very unlikely to slow down your device in a noticeable way.

Question 9

What if my phone or tablet runs out of charge? Do I need to reinstall the APP once the device is charged?

Accepted Answer

You should not have to reinstall the APP. However, you should check if it is running by looking for the tiny heart icon in the upper left of your home screen. If it is not there, open the HealthKam APP and depress the “Keep Monitoring” bar.

Question 10

Would I still be able to use my front camera to take selfies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your use of the camera takes priority over HealthKam. When you use your front camera, HealthKam waits for you to be done.

Question 11

Does HealthKam track what I am doing with my device?

Accepted Answer

HealthKam does not track your specific device use, what APPs you are running or have installed on your device. The times of heart rate measurements are captured by HealthKam and this can be used to infer times during the day when your device was active.

Question 12

Can I stop the monitoring of the heart rate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can open the HealthKam APP and click on the “stop monitoring” button.

Question 13

How does HealthKam know it is me using the device?

Accepted Answer

During the installation process, you are asked to take a photo. We use this photo to perform face recognition for every measurement captured and reject measurements that do not belong to you.

Question 14

What do I have to do to remove HealthKam from my phone?

Accepted Answer

All you need to do is uninstall the HealthKam APP.

Question 15

Who would see my heart rate data sent to the cloud? and what would it be used for?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA certified VPG Medical personnel would periodically look at the data uploaded to the cloud from your device to generate the reports we send you. The data would be to generate the reports we send you and to improve our ability to provide accurate measurements.

Question 16

How can I contact you if I have questions about the APP, my device or the reports you send me? "

Accepted Answer

You can send us an email to support@vpgmedical.com and we will reply as soon as we can.

Question 17

How do I know if the APP is running? What if it stops?

Accepted Answer

When the APP is active, a tiny icon of a heart inside a circle should be visible in the upper left corner of your device. If at any point this icon is not visible, open the HealthKam APP and ensure that the screen reads either: “STOP MONITORING”, or “KEEP MONITORING”.   If the message reads “KEEP MONITORING”, depress the message to resume monitoring, and the tiny icon should reappear at the upper left corner of your device’s home screen.   A message of “STOP” indicates that APP should be running. Attempt to reboot your device, and return to the HealthKam APP. Ensure that it reads “STOP MONITORING” and return to your home screen to check for the tiny icon in the upper left corner of the device. If monitoring still has not resumed, please contact us at support@vpgmedical.com

Question 18

I received a message stating that HealthKam has been decommissioned and I would like to recommission.  What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Please take no further action with the APP and contact support@vpgmedical.com.

Frequently asked questions

HealthKam® Technology delivers unique video-based Cardiac Monitoring Solutions.

The only clinically-validated passive monitoring technology for your smart devices and computers.