What is disclosed is a system and method for classifying a time-series signal as being ventricular premature contraction, ventricular tachycardia, or normal sinus rhythm in a patient being monitored for cardiac function assessment. One embodiment hereof involves the following. A time-series signal is received which contains frequency components that relate to the function of the subject's heart. Signal segments of interest are identified in the time-series signal. Time-domain features, frequency-domain features, and non-linear cardiac dynamics are extracted from each of the identified signal segments of interest. The extracted features and dynamics become components of at least one feature vector associated with each respective signal segment of interest. Signal segments are then classified as one of: ventricular premature contraction, ventricular tachycardia, and normal sinus rhythm, based on each signal segment's respective feature vector(s).
