Smartphone app can detect heart attacks, strokes, study finds

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WRIC) -- A new smartphone app developed by experts at institutions such as University of Virginia (UVA) Health, Harvard University and Northeastern University shows promising results in helping individuals determine if they are experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

The ECHAS app (Emergency Call for Heart Attack and Stroke) is designed to quickly assess symptoms, potentially leading to faster intervention and improved outcomes for these critical health emergencies.

Put to the test in an initial clinical study with more than 200 real-life emergency-room patients, the app proved effective at identifying people suffering strokes or heart attacks.

"We found that the ECHAS app could actually detect an incredibly high percentage of patients who needed to come to the emergency department for heart attack or stroke, [with] up to 98% sensitivity, which is really really exciting," said UVA Health neurologist and lead author of the study, Dr. Jonathan Crowe.

Furthermore, the app provided rapid assessments, identifying potential strokes in under two minutes and heart attacks in approximately one minute. The app was also rated as “highly usable,” suggesting it could be an accessible and effective tool for people without medical training.

“We hope ECHAS could help save lives by reducing delay and helping patients get the heart attack and stroke care they need.”

The ECHAS app utilizes a series of questions mirroring those asked by doctors in emergency rooms. It also incorporates a simple finger-tapping test to detect potential one-sided weakness, a key indicator of stroke. After a user completes the virtual assessment, the app calculates a risk score and provides one of three recommendations:

• Call 911 or go to the emergency room
• Call a medical hotline
• Contact their primary care physician

While the ECHAS app is not yet available for public download, researchers are encouraged by the initial findings and are planning larger-scale trials to further validate its reliability. The app was initially created by two doctors at Harvard Medical School, where Crowe previously worked. Now, the research team, including Crowe, is focused on bringing this technology to the Commonwealth.

“At UVA, we have partnered with UVA’s Center for Telehealth to apply for a grant to study ECHAS here in Virginia,” Crowe said.

The findings of the initial study have been published in the scientific journal JMIR Formative Research. Researchers are optimistic that ECHAS could become a valuable tool in saving lives and reducing the long-term impact of heart attacks and strokes.