Google tests catching heart, eye issues from smartphone sensors

FILE PHOTO: A person in a mask walks by the New York Google offices after they announced they will postpone their reopening in response to updated CDC guidelines during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., July 29, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) - Google announced on Thursday its latest plans for using smartphones to monitor health, saying it would test whether capturing heart sounds and eyeball images could help people identify issues from home.

The company, a unit of Alphabet Inc, is investigating whether the smartphone's built-in microphone can detect heartbeats and murmurs when placed over the chest, head of health AI Greg Corrado told reporters. Readings could enable early detection of heart valve disorders, he said.