A new computer tool can spot heart disease in 20 seconds.

A computer tool is capable of spotting heart disease in 20 seconds

A computer tool is capable of spotting heart disease in 20 seconds

The device uses artificial intelligence to read complex MRI scans and can do so both 40 times faster and more accurately than humans.

Doctors will be alerted to potential heart problems before a patient has even left the scanner.

The British Heart Foundation claims that the tool - which has been developed by experts at University College London and Barts Heart Centre - will free up medics and help tackle cardiac scan backlogs.

Study leader Dr. Rhodri Davies, a consultant cardiologist, said: "Our new AI reads complex heart scans in record speed, analysing the structure and function of a patient's heart with more precision than ever before.

"The beauty of the technology is that it replaces the need for a doctor to spend countless hours analysing the scans by hand."