A new artificial intelligence (AI) stethoscope could help doctors detect serious heart problems within seconds, according to UK researchers.

Developed by a team at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the device is designed to identify three major conditions—heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms—much earlier than traditional methods. minotaur fight store | minotaurfightstore

Unlike the classic stethoscope, which has been in use since 1816, the new tool uses a small, card-sized sensor that records electrical signals from the heart through an electrocardiogram (ECG). The data is uploaded to the cloud, where it is analysed by AI trained on tens of thousands of patient records. Subtle differences in heartbeat and blood flow, often undetectable to the human ear, can be flagged almost instantly.

In a study involving more than 12,000 patients across 96 GP practices in west and north-west London, those assessed with the AI device were over twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of heart failure within a year compared with those in surgeries using traditional methods. The technology also proved 3.5 times more effective at spotting irregular heart rhythms and nearly twice as effective in identifying heart valve disease.

“This is an elegant example of how the humble stethoscope, invented more than 200 years ago, can be upgraded for the 21st century,” said Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation and consultant cardiologist. She noted that earlier diagnosis is critical, as many patients are only identified once symptoms become severe and require emergency hospital care.

The findings were presented this week at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid, the world’s largest heart conference. Plans are now underway to expand use of the AI stethoscopes to GP surgeries in south London, Sussex, and Wales.

Researchers say the rollout could mark a major step in reducing delays in treatment, helping patients live longer and healthier lives.