A new AI stethoscope developed by researchers in the UK can detect serious heart conditions in just 15 seconds, offering a potential breakthrough in early diagnosis and treatment.
Designed by a team from Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the device uses artificial intelligence to identify heart failure, heart valve disease, and atrial fibrillation. It combines traditional auscultation with real-time electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, allowing it to catch abnormalities often missed during routine checkups.
The AI stethoscope analyzes heart sounds and electrical signals through a small, card-sized device placed on a patient’s chest. It then transmits the data to secure cloud storage, where AI algorithms review the information and return a result to the clinician’s smartphone in seconds.
Researchers presented the findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid, highlighting the device’s potential to speed up diagnosis for three of the most common and dangerous heart conditions.
Clinical trials show major improvement in detection rates
In a UK-based trial involving 12,000 patients across 200 GP clinics, the new tool significantly improved detection rates. Patients examined with the device were twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart failure and nearly twice as likely to be identified with heart valve disease. Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation tripled in comparison to traditional methods.
Dr. Patrik Bächtiger, from Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute, said the stethoscope’s design had not changed in two centuries, but this new approach allows doctors to detect life-threatening conditions within seconds.
California-based Eko Health manufactures the device. It records both the sound of blood flow and the heart’s electrical activity, which are then reviewed using AI tools designed to flag subtle issues beyond human perception.
Experts emphasize timely use and potential impact
Researchers caution that while the tool shows promise, it is best suited for patients already showing symptoms such as fatigue or shortness of breath. Using it in routine screenings for healthy individuals may lead to false positives, which could cause unnecessary concern or additional testing.
Dr. Mihir Kelshiker of Imperial College said the AI-enabled tool could prevent late-stage diagnoses by helping general practitioners catch signs of heart disease earlier. Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan of the British Heart Foundation added that earlier detection enables patients to receive treatment sooner and live longer, healthier lives.
The study was part-funded by the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which called the innovation a step forward in community-level diagnostics.
