## AI Stethoscope Revolutionizes Heart Condition Detection **Report Provider:** BBC **Author:** George Wright **Published:** August 30, 2025 (as per `publishedAt` timestamp) **Topic:** Technology (AI) ### Summary of Findings Researchers have developed an **AI-powered stethoscope** that can detect three different heart conditions – **heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms** – in mere seconds. This innovative tool, a modern upgrade to the original stethoscope invented in 1816, has the potential to significantly **accelerate patient diagnosis and treatment**. ### Key Statistics and Metrics A study involving over **12,000 patients** from 96 GP surgeries in west and north-west London, utilizing AI stethoscopes manufactured by Eko Health, revealed the following improvements in detection rates compared to traditional methods: * **Heart Failure:** Patients were **2.33 times more likely** to have heart failure detected within 12 months when examined with the AI stethoscope. * **Abnormal Heartbeat Patterns:** These patterns, which can increase stroke risk, were **3.5 times more detectable** with the AI stethoscopes. * **Heart Valve Disease:** Detection rates for heart valve disease were **1.9 times higher** when using the AI stethoscope. ### How it Works The AI stethoscope replaces the traditional chest piece with a device the size of a playing card. It utilizes a microphone to analyze subtle differences in heartbeat and blood flow that are imperceptible to the human ear. The device also takes an **ECG (electrocardiogram)**, recording the heart's electrical signals. This information is then sent to the cloud for analysis by AI that has been trained on data from tens of thousands of patients. ### Impact and Future Plans Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and consultant cardiologist, hailed the innovation as an "elegant example of how the humble stethoscope... can be upgraded for the 21st century." She emphasized the vital nature of such advancements, particularly as heart conditions are "so often... only diagnosed at an advanced stage when patients attend hospital as an emergency." Earlier diagnosis, she stated, allows individuals to "access the treatment they need to help them live well for longer." The findings have been presented at the **European Society of Cardiology annual congress in Madrid**. Following a successful study, plans are underway to **roll out the AI stethoscope across the UK**, with initial introductions planned for GP practices in south London, Sussex, and Wales. ### Conclusion The AI stethoscope represents a significant advancement in cardiovascular diagnostics, offering the potential for earlier and more accurate detection of serious heart conditions, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
AI stethoscope could detect heart conditions in seconds
Read original at BBC →Stethoscopes powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could help detect three different heart conditions in seconds, researchers say.The original stethoscope, invented in 1816, allows doctors to listen to the internal sounds of a patient's body.A British team conducted a study using a modern version and say they found it can spot heart failure, heart valve disease and abnormal heart rhythms almost instantly.
The tool could be a "real game-changer" resulting in patients being treated sooner, the researchers say - with plans to roll the device out across the UK following a study involving 205 GP surgeries in west and north-west London.The device replaces the traditional chest piece with a device around the size of a playing card.
It uses a microphone to analyse subtle differences in heartbeat and blood flow that the human ear cannot detect.It takes an ECG (electrocardiogram), recording electrical signals from the heart, and sends the information to the cloud to be analysed by AI trained on data from tens of thousands of patients.
The study by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust saw more than 12,000 patients from 96 surgeries examined with AI stethoscopes manufactured by US firm Eko Health. They were then compared to patients from 109 GP surgeries where the technology was not used.Those with heart failure were 2.
33 times more likely to have it detected within 12 months when examined with the AI stethoscope, researchers said.Abnormal heartbeat patterns, which have no symptoms but can increase stroke risk, were 3.5 times more detectable with the AI stethoscopes, while heart valve disease was 1.9 times more detectable.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and consultant cardiologist, said: "This is an elegant example of how the humble stethoscope, invented more than 200 years ago, can be upgraded for the 21st century". Such innovations are vital "because so often this condition is only diagnosed at an advanced stage when patients attend hospital as an emergency", she said."
Given an earlier diagnosis, people can access the treatment they need to help them live well for longer."The findings have been presented to thousands of doctors at the European Society of Cardiology annual congress in Madrid, the world's largest heart conference.There are plans to introduce the new stethoscopes to GP practices in south London, Sussex and Wales.
