Real-Time Heart Attack Detection Just Got Smarter
Summary: A groundbreaking AI-powered chip developed at the University of Mississippi could revolutionise heart attack detection. It’s fast, accurate, portable and potentially life-saving.
Every 40 Seconds, a Life Is Lost - This AI Tech Could Change That
What if a wearable device could detect a heart attack as it’s happening, in real time, and with greater accuracy than current medical tools? That’s exactly what researchers at the University of Mississippi are developing. Led by Assistant Professor Kasem Khalil, this innovative technology could revolutionise heart attack diagnosis and save countless lives by acting faster than traditional methods.
Currently, someone in the U.S. dies from a heart attack every 40 seconds, and early detection is critical. Most traditional diagnostics, like ECGs or blood tests, require hospital settings, costing precious time. But this new AI-powered chip might change that narrative
What Makes This Heart Attack Detection Tech Stand Out?
In a study published in Intelligent Systems, Blockchain and Communication Technologies, Khalil’s team unveiled a chip that leverages artificial intelligence and advanced mathematics to monitor the heart’s electrical activity in real time.
“Compared to traditional methods, our technology is up to two times faster, while still highly accurate,” said Khalil.
With a 92.4% accuracy rate, this chip is not only efficient but also lightweight and affordable, making it ideal for wearables like smartwatches or mobile monitoring devices. That means users could get instant alerts during a cardiac event, even before reaching a hospital.
How It Works: Combining Hardware & AI
Ph.D. student Tamador Mohaidat played a key role by designing the artificial neural network, while graduate student Md. Rahat Kader Khan built the software infrastructure.
“This is portable hardware that can be in wearable or monitoring devices,” Mohaidat explained.
“This method will save lives because we can monitor the heart in real time.”
The team emphasised that their lab focuses on a full-system approach, from hardware to software, unlike many others.
“That’s how we optimize the whole system,” Khan said, “by focusing on the overall architecture.”
Why Speed is important in a Heart Attack
Time is everything during a heart attack. The faster a diagnosis is made, the quicker the treatment and the lower the risk of permanent damage or death.
“For this issue, a few minutes or even a few extra seconds is going to give this person the care they need before it becomes worse,” Khalil said.
Their goal is to bring this chip to the real world, helping people get treatment before they reach the ER.
Beyond Heart Attacks: A Future of Smart Diagnostics
While the current focus is on heart attack detection, Khalil envisions the tech being used for other health emergencies, too, such as
- Seizures
- Dementia
“We want to be able to predict or identify many problems using technology like this,” he said.
This AI-driven approach could shape the future of remote diagnostics, transforming how we manage and monitor chronic conditions.
Conclusion: A Breakthrough for Cardiac Care
This breakthrough AI chip is more than just a research project, it’s a potentially life-saving tool that could reshape heart attack detection as we know it. Fast, portable, and accurate, it’s a leap forward for personalised, real-time health monitoring.
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
