An innovative at-home device may soon play a critical role in preventing hospitalizations and saving lives among heart failure patients. Developed by Heartfelt Technologies in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the AI-powered foot scanner offers a non-invasive, accessible way to detect early signs of heart failure—well before symptoms become critical.
Heart failure, which affects over 1 million people in the UK, occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently, leading to a buildup of fluid in the body. One of the earliest and most telling symptoms of this condition is oedema—a swelling typically found in the feet and lower legs, caused by fluid retention. Recognizing oedema early can be vital for patients, especially since hospitalizations due to heart failure often happen when intervention comes too late.
The new device, designed to sit unobtrusively beside a user’s bed, captures around 1,800 images of both feet daily. Using artificial intelligence, the scanner analyzes these images to detect even the most subtle signs of oedema before the patient might even notice any swelling themselves.
“This device detects one of the big three warning signs for people with heart failure before they end up in hospital,” explained Dr. Philip Keeling, lead researcher on the project and a consultant cardiologist at the South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, in a statement to the BBC. “Only about half of people admitted to hospital with heart failure currently get assigned an early review by a heart failure nurse who can check to see if they are suffering a harmful build-up of fluid because their heart is not working properly.”
The implications of such a device are especially significant given the current strain on healthcare systems and the shortage of specialized nurses. “Amid a shortage of heart failure nurses, a device like this can be like a virtual nurse, tracking people’s health,” Dr. Keeling added. This continuous monitoring means patients can receive earlier interventions—adjustments in medication, dietary advice, or other treatments—that could prevent a full-blown cardiac crisis.
The effectiveness of the scanner was tested in a recent pilot study involving 26 patients across five NHS trusts. During the trial, the device successfully provided alerts of impending heart failure exacerbation between 8 to 19 days before hospitalization, with an average warning time of 13 days. Of the six hospitalizations recorded during the trial, five were accurately predicted by the scanner—an 83% success rate. Importantly, 82% of participants opted to keep the device after the trial ended, citing ease of use and peace of mind.
While the study was relatively small, the results are promising. Dr. Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, which was not involved in the study, called the findings encouraging. “This small study suggests a simple device could significantly improve outcomes for at-risk patients with heart failure by keeping them out of hospital,” he said.
For patients and healthcare providers alike, the potential benefits of this technology are substantial. Early detection of fluid buildup could reduce emergency room visits, hospital stays, and overall costs to the healthcare system. More importantly, it can enhance quality of life for heart failure patients by enabling more proactive and personalized care.
Experts believe that with further trials and scaling, the technology could become a staple in home-based cardiac care. It represents a shift toward patient empowerment and preventative medicine—using technology not just to treat illness but to anticipate and intercept it before it becomes life-threatening.
As the population ages and chronic conditions like heart failure become more prevalent, solutions like the AI foot scanner offer a beacon of hope. Combining cutting-edge imaging with smart algorithms, it’s a testament to how technology can serve as a compassionate, intelligent partner in managing long-term health.
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