"Contacts and Questions"

  I am a seventh grade student at Dunloggin Middle School, a public school
  in Maryland. Myself and two other eigth grade students have decided to
  enter a contest. In this contest, one must come up with a ingenious idea
  that uses current technology and some possible future technology. Our idea
  was to create a auto computerized guided car with heart sensors. The auto
  guided car exists but we are going to add the sensors. These sensors will
  sense a heart attack. One doctor has advised us to use a ECG. We are not
  sure how feasible this is to put an ECG inside a car. Also this system
  must be attached to the patient which could be difficult with an ECG.
  Also, we are in need of statistics of how many people have heart attacks
  on the road. I know this is a general information forum so all this can
  probably not be provided. But if contacts are available, please provide
  us with them. We need to develop a constant contact with an informative
  contact, if possible in Maryland. Out of state people doctors are also
  fine. Our deadline is near and we need this help quickly. Thank You for
  your generous time. I hope to hear from you soon.
                                               Thanking you,
  
                                                 Antardeb Guharay

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

_

Dear Antardeb, thank you for your question. I really have no idea where to look for information regarding statistics of heart attacks that occur in automobiles.  I think it's pretty unusual for someone to have a heart attack while driving a car, but you must remember that a heart attack encompasses a variety of symptoms from dull chest pain to full cardiac arrest.  I'm not sure that having an ECG in a car would really be that helpful unless you propose to somehow use the heart rhythm to propel the car or something like that.  However, this forum is for people with cardiac disease to write in for information regarding their illnesses.  Thus, the physicians in the Heart Forum are unable to be contacts for your project.  I suggest that you speak with a  local physician who may be able to help.  Good luck.