AI Stethoscope Spots Heart Problems in Just 15 Seconds

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed an AI-powered stethoscope capable of diagnosing heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms in just 15 seconds, a major leap forward in cardiac care.

The device, roughly the size of a playing card, combines traditional stethoscope sounds with an Electrocardiogram, sending data to the cloud for AI analysis that can detect subtle abnormalities invisible to the human ear.

Trials involving 12,000 patients across 200 UK General Practitioner surgeries showed that the AI tool dramatically improved early detection, with heart failure diagnoses doubling and atrial fibrillation detection tripling.

Experts say this rapid, accessible diagnostic tool could save lives, reduce strain on hospitals, and allow patients to receive treatment sooner, offering a transformative solution for heart disease management globally.