New Gadget Turns Mobile Phone into Heart Monitor

A new high-tech gadget that can turn mobile phone into a powerful medical tool to predict heart problems has been developed by scientists.

The 'Smartheart' connects to the trendy smartphone and converts it into a hospital grade heart monitor capable of performing electrocardiograms in just 30 seconds.

The device hooks around the user's chest and records their heart rate by measuring its electro-activity.

Smartheart connects to an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android device via Bluetooth, allowing the user to view an ECG in detail, and email it to their doctor.

Instead of a traditional ECG, which uses several monitors stuck to the body, Smartheart has just one and the scan is completed in 30 seconds.

You can then view the ECG in detail and email it to your doctor. If it identifies an irregular or abnormal heart condition it will send you an alert.

"This device is a major breakthrough and could save lives," the Daily Mail quoted consultant congenital cardiologist at Southampton Hospital Dr Joseph Vettukattil as saying.

A spokesman for Telemedicine, which makes the device, said this will transform phones into a fully functioning hospital-grade heart monitor.

"Smartheart addresses the most crucial factor related to heart attacks - time. Within 30 seconds, anyone can record a scan and have it transmitted to their doctor," he said.

"It can be used anywhere, by anyone, and is a real breakthrough in technology," he stated.

Smartheart can be purchased for L300 online and the app can be downloaded for free.

Source: ANI