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According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. A staggering 80 percent of deaths attributed to these ailments occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Fourteen-year-old Indian prodigy Siddhartha Nandiala developed a mobile app called Circadian AI that can detect heart anomalies at early stages. This AI diagnostic system is user-friendly and effective, making it particularly valuable in low- and middle-income countries where qualified medical professionals are scarce.
“My main goal was to create a tool that could save many lives through a noninvasive screening procedure,” explained Nandiala, a freshman at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in computer science.
This Isn’t Siddhartha’s First Achievement
Siddhartha Nandiala has been fascinated by technology, coding, and engineering since childhood. He is now the youngest certified AI specialist, according to Smithsonian Magazine. In 2022, Siddhartha created a prosthetic hand that costs just $150. A year later, he founded STEM IT, an educational startup that offers students programs in science, technology, engineering, and math.
The Frisco Chamber of Commerce awarded him the title of “Innovator of the Year – 2023.” He also received a Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives and a congratulatory letter from then-President Joe Biden. In 2024, Nandiala invented a bracelet that detects the likelihood of falls in older adults with an accuracy of 96.1 percent.
How Does the Heart Disease Diagnostic App Work?
The teenager tested the app in various medical facilities across the U.S. and India. In the U.S., the testing involved around 15,000 patients, while in India it included 3,500.
As Siddhartha Nandiala explained, “The clinical trials were conducted not only to detect diseases but also to verify the tool’s effectiveness. It showed an accuracy of over 96 percent.” This percentage was later confirmed through clinical testing, electrocardiograms and two-dimensional echocardiograms.
To use the app, the user places their smartphone near their heart. The system, which records the heartbeat, employs advanced noise-cancellation methods. This allows for accurate data collection even in noisy environments. The app detects arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats, early signs of heart failure, indicators of ischemic heart disease, and valve anomalies.
Currently, the young inventor is awaiting the necessary regulatory approvals for his invention. After that, Circadian AI will begin offering rapid diagnostics in primary healthcare centers and hospitals in the U.S., India, and other countries. Nandiala noted, “It’s not about replacing other technologies, like electrocardiograms. It’s simply a preliminary screening tool that determines whether users have any heart issues.”
