The use of various mp3 players can help doctors to distinguish pathological noises in the heart from normal and to identify noises that require immediate appointment of therapy or emergency care.

As statistics show, calculated by American researchers, only 40% of doctors correctly determined heart sounds when they listened. After 149 general practitioners listened to five main noises 400 times during a 90-minute session on an mp3 player, the percentage of pathological noises increased to 80%.

The ability to auscultate determine the presence of pathological noise in the heart is a very important skill, says the chief investigator, Dr. Michael Barrett.

This method helps to save huge funds and improve the monitoring of patient care.

According to Barrett, the only way to improve one's skills is by constant persevering practice and repetition, and since patients having characteristic noises are difficult to pick up, digital technology can significantly alleviate this problem.

The results of the study were presented on Monday at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cardiology.

Medicinform. Net.

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