A medical alert system comprises a wearable heart monitoring device for transmitting wireless heart rate data signals to a portable computing device. A processor associated with the portable computing device processes the heart rate data signals to determine whether the signals meet pre-established triggering criteria. A transmitter associated with the portable computing device transmits the triggering heart rate data signals to a wireless remote receiver/transmitter connected to the Internet. A receiver, which is associated with one or both of (i) an emergency medical service provider, or (ii) one or more recipient from among a list of designated emergency contacts, receives wireless/cellular transmissions via a portable computing device. In operation, receipt of the triggering heart rate data signals by one or both of the emergency service provider or the recipient(s) provides information sufficient to determine whether an abnormality of sufficient magnitude exists to warrant an emergency medical service response to the user.
