Voice offers clue to heart health

LISTENING to a patient’s voice may be a new way to monitor heart failure.

Researchers have developed a smartphone app that analyses speech for signs the condition is worsening.

Heart failure affects around 900,000 people in the UK and occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly, causing breathlessness, tiredness and swelling in the ankles or legs.

The new app, developed by Cordio Medical, uses voice sensors to track subtle changes in speech indicating lung health has deteriorated — sounds that cannot be detected with the human ear.

It’s hoped the technology will detect complications early and so reduce hospitalisation rates.