Is it possible for your voice to indicate your likelihood of developing heart disease?

Overview

A potential future scenario envisioned by researchers involves sending a voice recording to a healthcare provider instead of visiting a doctor for heart health concerns. A significant medical breakthrough has been unveiled, revealing that machine-learning algorithms, powered by artificial intelligence, can now detect subtle health condition indicators from voice patterns that are undetectable by the human ear. These advancements were showcased in a recent study demonstrating the software's ability to identify the risk of heart disease through voice analysis.

Insights into Health Status through Voice Analysis

The Vocalis Health smartphone application, created using 10,000 voice samples, leverages artificial intelligence to evaluate an individual's health condition. The app examines more than eighty voice characteristics such as frequency, amplitude, pitch, and rhythm. Previous research pinpointed six voice characteristics strongly linked to coronary artery disease. Scientists from the Mayo Clinic consolidated these features into a single score, serving as a voice-based biomarker. Their subsequent investigation led to compelling findings.

Risk Assessment for Heart Conditions

The study involved 108 male patients, with an average age of 59, who had heart-related symptoms and were previously recommended for coronary angiography. Participants were asked to record three 30-second voice samples, including reading a text, sharing a positive experience, and discussing a negative one. After analyzing the recordings, each individual received a biomarker score. Approximately one-third received a high score, while the remaining participants received a low score. Over a two-year period, the research team monitored the participants and assessed their heart health based on emergency room visits for chest pain and cardiac incidents like heart attacks. The results indicated that 58.3% of those with a high biomarker score encountered chest pain or a significant cardiac event, compared to 30.6% with a low score. Moreover, individuals with a high score were more likely to exhibit positive stress test results or receive a diagnosis of coronary artery disease during subsequent angiograms. Following adjustments, those with a high score were over 2.5 times more likely to experience a major cardiac event and more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

Connection to the Autonomic Nervous System

Researchers hypothesize that the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions like heart and breathing rates, may contribute to how six voice characteristics signal the development of heart disease. This system is also involved in controlling the vocal cords. Therefore, subtle voice alterations, only detectable through machine-learning technology, could provide insights into cardiovascular well-being.

Future Implications of Voice Analysis

These findings suggest that voice analysis could serve as a robust screening tool to identify individuals in need of close cardiovascular monitoring. Researchers believe that voice recordings could be beneficial in remote healthcare delivery and telemedicine. Lead author and cardiologist, Jaskanwal Deep Singh Sara, M.D., emphasized that while voice analysis technology should not replace traditional healthcare methods or medical professionals, it could complement existing strategies. Voice analysis has exhibited promise in identifying specific voice characteristics associated with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. It has also proven effective in assessing the risk of COVID-19. Further research is ongoing, and if validated, this technology could potentially evolve into a clinical screening tool by the decade's end.

References

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Susan Parker

Susan Parker is a 49-year-old Senior Manager at a marketing firm. With two older children becoming more independent, she is now focusing on her own health and wellbeing. She’s passionate about natural and holistic health approaches, and values high-quality, trustworthy products. Susan enjoys yoga, gardening, reading, and cooking, and seeks to stay energetic and sharp while balancing a busy career and personal life.