"DETAK", a smartphone application that works on an artificial intelligence algorithm, provides services of early and accurate detection of heart disease to help prevent any delay in handling patients, with acute coronary syndrome.
Acute coronary syndrome is a term coined to describe a host of conditions linked to sudden, reduced flow of blood to the heart. One such condition is a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, — when cell death results in damaged or destroyed heart tissue.
"Apart from functioning as an early detection tool to prevent delays in heart disease patients seeking treatment, DETAK also serves to remind heart disease patients to take their medication and undergo medical checkups regularly," Mohammad Saifur Rohman, the lead researcher of cardiovascular study at the Brawijaya University's Medical School, noted.
Rohman further explained that the application offers various informative articles on heart diseases and tips for maintaining a heart healthy.
The lead researcher drew attention to the importance of an early detection service in the application since any delay in the detection of heart disease is one of the main causal factors of the high number of heart attack cases that have resulted in deaths at the Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital in Malang.
Rohman attributed this delay in detection mostly to a lack of knowledge and awareness of the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome.
For early detection of the ailment, patients using the DETAK app will have to answer several questions related to chest pain they experience and will be notified on where to go to seek help.
Moreover, the app will direct users, with a high risk of acute coronary syndrome, to some hospitals with cardiologists on duty.
Meanwhile, users, with a low risk of acute coronary syndrome, will be directed to visit nearby health facilities having some general practitioners on duty.
The DETAK application, developed by a group of researchers from the Medical School of Brawijaya University, has received the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) award.
Some health facilities so far recorded in the DETAK Application comprise those in Malang City and the districts of Malang, Lumajang, Pamekasan, and Hulu Sungai Selatan in South Kalimantan.
Furthermore, the app will continue to be developed to be replete with more comprehensive data collection, with the reach of health facilities across Indonesia.
Data collection will be conducted in collaboration with the Indonesian Cardiologist Association (PERKI), Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), and other related health facilities.
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