How FIU and Baptist Health are Using AI and Sound to Detect Heart Disease Earlier

Researchers at Florida International University (FIU), working in collaboration with Baptist Health South Florida, are combining a digital stethoscope with artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced sound analysis to better detect subtle signs of heart disease long before symptoms appear.

March 31, 2026
5 min

Baptist Health South Florida

At a Glance

Category	Detail
Condition	Early detection of heart disease
Key Mechanisms	Digital stethoscope recordings analyzed by AI algorithms to detect subtle acoustic patterns indicative of early cardiovascular disease
Target Population	Cardiovascular patients undergoing routine evaluations
Care Setting	Clinical cardiovascular care settings with potential future extension to home monitoring

Key Highlights

AI algorithms analyze digitally recorded heart sounds to identify early signs of heart disease with high accuracy.
Collaboration between FIU and Baptist Health enables clinical validation and integration of AI tools into patient care.
Future vision includes routine use of AI-assisted heart sound analysis in clinical screenings and potential home monitoring.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

Use digital stethoscopes to record heart sounds during routine cardiovascular evaluations.
Apply AI algorithms to detect subtle acoustic patterns associated with early heart disease.
Use AI findings as a supplementary screening tool to flag patients for further diagnostic testing.

Management

If AI indicates potential risk, order additional tests such as echocardiograms or advanced imaging.
Incorporate AI-assisted heart sound analysis into routine cardiovascular screening workflows.

Monitoring & Follow-up

Develop and utilize AI tools for ongoing monitoring of heart health in clinical settings.
Explore future use of connected digital stethoscopes or wearable devices for patient self-monitoring at home.

Risks

AI tools are adjuncts and do not replace physician clinical judgment.
Clinical validation is essential before widespread adoption to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Cardiovascular patients consenting to participate in clinical testing at Baptist Health

AI-assisted heart sound analysis can identify early heart disease signs, enabling earlier intervention and potentially improved outcomes.

Clinical Best Practices

Integrate AI-powered heart sound analysis into routine cardiovascular evaluations to enhance early detection.
Ensure patient consent and data quality when recording heart sounds for AI analysis.
Use AI findings to guide timely follow-up testing and management decisions.
Maintain physician oversight to interpret AI results within the clinical context.