A new technology could make it easier to detect a common and potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem—without even touching the body.
Scientists have developed a contactless sensor that uses radio waves, similar to radar, to pick up signs of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that increases the risk of stroke and other serious health issues.
Their work was published this week in Nature Communications.
Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is a common condition in which the heart beats irregularly and often too fast.
While it can be dangerous, many people don’t know they have it until they experience symptoms or undergo a heart test like an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Since these tests usually only happen during medical visits, many cases go unnoticed until it’s too late to prevent complications.
To address this, a research team led by Yan Chen developed a new device that doesn’t need to be attached to the body.
Instead, it uses radar-like signals to monitor subtle movements caused by the heartbeat.
These signals are then analyzed using artificial intelligence to detect signs of AF. The system relies on a powerful type of AI called a neural network, which has been trained using knowledge from traditional ECG results to accurately spot irregular heart rhythms.
The researchers tested the system on data from over 6,000 outpatients during brief 30-second ECG sessions, including nearly 230 patients who had atrial fibrillation.
They found that the radar-based system was just as good as the ECG at identifying cases of AF. The technology was also tested on a smaller group of patients while they were sleeping, showing it could detect AF during regular, everyday conditions.
Because the system doesn’t rely on physical contact, it could one day be used at home or in non-clinical settings to continuously monitor for AF—even before symptoms appear. This would allow people to receive earlier diagnoses and take steps to manage their condition before it becomes more serious.
While more testing is needed, especially in people who are moving around or active, the results are promising. This contactless, radar-like approach could offer a new way to catch atrial fibrillation early, giving people a better chance to protect their heart health.
Source: KSR.
