How Does an AI Stethoscope Work? The 15-Second Tool Transforming Heart Diagnosis

Doctors in the UK have introduced a revolutionary medical tool — an AI-enabled stethoscope that can detect major heart conditions in just 15 seconds. Developed by researchers at Imperial College London, this device is designed to identify heart failure, valve disease, and irregular heart rhythms with speed and precision.

The technology combines the traditional stethoscope with modern AI capabilities, helping general practitioners (GPs) diagnose serious heart issues before symptoms become life-threatening.

How AI Stethoscopes Work: From Chest to Cloud to Diagnosis

The AI stethoscope, made by U.S.-based company Eko Health, is about the size of a playing card. It works by capturing both the sound of blood flow and the electrical signals from a patient’s heart. This dual input — audio and ECG (electrocardiogram) — is analyzed in real-time using powerful AI algorithms trained on data from tens of thousands of patients.

After placing the device on the patient’s chest, it immediately sends the recorded data to a secure cloud server. There, the AI scans for early signs of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or valve dysfunction that may be too subtle for human detection. The diagnosis is then transmitted back to the clinician’s smartphone, typically within seconds, allowing for instant medical decisions.

Why It Matters: Early Diagnosis Saves Lives

Heart failure affects over one million people in the UK, but over 70% are diagnosed only after being rushed to the hospital. This new tool could change that. In a trial involving 12,725 patients across 200 GP surgeries, those assessed using the AI stethoscope were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed early with heart failure.

The study also found a 3.5 times higher detection rate of atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases stroke risk, and nearly double the diagnosis rate of heart valve disease. These early detections mean that patients can start treatment sooner, reducing hospital admissions and improving long-term health outcomes.

Rollout and Challenges in Real-World Use

While the device shows great promise, it is not without challenges. About 70% of GP practices in the trial stopped using it regularly after a year, mostly due to difficulties in integrating the device into daily routines. Moreover, in around two-thirds of suspected heart failure cases flagged by the AI, further tests showed no actual disease, indicating a risk of false positives.

Despite these issues, experts believe the technology has enormous potential. It is currently being rolled out to GP practices in Wales, South London, and Sussex, with hopes of wider adoption. Clinicians stress that the AI stethoscope should be used only for patients showing symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, or swelling — not for routine checks on healthy individuals.

AI stethoscopes are reshaping heart care. They offer faster, earlier, and more accurate diagnosis — potentially saving lives before symptoms become severe.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: How does an AI stethoscope work?

It records heart sounds and ECG signals, then uses cloud-based AI to analyze the data. A result is sent to the doctor’s phone in seconds.

Q2: What conditions can the AI stethoscope detect?

It can detect heart failure, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), and heart valve disease with high accuracy.

Q3: Who developed the AI stethoscope?

It was developed by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, with the device manufactured by Eko Health.

Q4: How accurate is it?

In trials, it improved early detection significantly, but about two-thirds of flagged heart failure cases were false positives.

Q5: Where is it being used now?

It’s currently being rolled out in GP surgeries across Wales, South London, and Sussex after successful UK-wide trials.