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Monday 17 February 2025
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Researchers from Coventry University, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, have used radar technology to develop a contactless heart sound detection system that could help the early detection and ongoing monitoring of cardiovascular health conditions.
Detailed in a study published by the researchers, including Dr Syed Aziz Shah and Professor Dingchang Zheng, Director of Coventry University’s Research Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, this new system uses harmless radio frequency (RF) signals to monitor heart activity without physical contact, detecting the tiny vibrations and subtle sounds of heart valves opening and closing as RF signals bounce off the body.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on skin contact, such as electrocardiograms (ECG) or stethoscopes, this radar-based approach works even when participants are fully clothed, making the process more accessible, quicker and comfortable. The new technology showed a high level of precision, with results matching traditional ECG readings to within one heartbeat per minute.
The system was tested on both male and female participants under various conditions, including resting states, periods of anxiety and changing heart rates. The results showed it could accurately measure heart sounds across a range of heart rate intensities. By providing precise and reliable data, this technology could help monitor conditions such as heart valve issues, heart enlargement and heart failure – conditions that can be challenging to detect in their early stages.
According to the British Heart Foundation, 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart and circulatory diseases, demonstrating the widespread impact of this serious health challenge.
By enabling real-time, non-invasive monitoring, this radar sensing system could help healthcare professionals detect heart issues earlier, manage conditions more effectively and offer remote monitoring for patients who may otherwise struggle with regular check-ups.
“It could also support healthcare services and providers in managing the demands of cardiovascular conditions by making heart health monitoring more accessible, accurate and easier to integrate into routine practices.
Dr Syed Aziz Shah, Research Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, Coventry University
Further developments are planned to expand the system’s use in clinical and remote healthcare applications. The research team aims to enhance its reliability by testing it in clinical settings.
Read the study.
Find out more about the Research Centre for Intelligent Healthcare.