Systems and methods may provide for a piezoelectric film that generates an excitation signal in response to pressure variations on a surface of the piezoelectric film and an analog front end coupled to the piezoelectric film, wherein the analog front end generates a first measurement signal based on the excitation signal. Additionally, a heart rate monitor may be coupled to the analog front end, wherein the heart rate monitor generates a heart rate measurement based on the first measurement signal. In one example, the analog front end includes a single stage amplifier.