Indian-American teen invents life-saving heart diagnosis app

A 14-year-old Indian-American student, Siddarth Nandyala, is gaining widespread recognition for developing a smartphone app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to quickly detect heart conditions.

Born in Hyderabad and currently residing in the United States, Siddarth recalls receiving his first STEM kit at the age of seven — a moment that sparked his enduring passion for science and technology.

In a recent interview, he said, "The idea of creating something out of nothing completely fascinated me — it sparked a curiosity that has not left since."

Siddarth spoke about his love for invention, the influence of both Indian and American values on his work, and his goal of leveraging technology to improve lives.

"The Indian values of persistence, humility, and respect for education have guided my mindset, while my exposure to the American spirit of innovation has taught me to think boldly and act fearlessly. Together, they have created a foundation that drives both my ambition and empathy," he said.

These principles helped him launch two ventures at a remarkably young age: STEM IT and Circadian AI.

His work has earned appreciation from prominent figures — including letters of gratitude from former US Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Indian leaders, such as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, have also recognized his efforts.

Siddarth founded STEM IT, his first initiative, out of frustration with conventional schooling. He believes traditional textbooks often lack real-world relevance and fail to explain how things truly work.

Through STEM IT, he aims to give students hands-on experience with tools and projects that bring technology to life.

Even more remarkable is his second project, Circadian AI, which has the potential to save lives. The app can detect heart conditions by analyzing heart sounds — all through a smartphone.

To use the app, users simply place a smartphone on the chest and press "analyze." The app then listens to heart sounds and delivers a diagnostic report within seconds.

Siddarth tested this tool at several hospitals in Andhra Pradesh. At Guntur Government General Hospital, two separate studies were conducted.

In the first, 10 out of 505 patients were found to have heart problems; in the second, 16 out of 863 patients showed similar issues. All positive cases were later confirmed through echo and ECG tests.

A similar screening was conducted in Vijayawada, where 19 out of 92 patients tested positive for heart conditions.

Siddarth developed Circadian AI over seven months, during which he collected heart sound data, trained the AI, designed the app interface, and conducted field tests in hospitals to ensure accuracy.

He clarified, however, that the app is intended strictly for clinical use and is not available to the general public.

Siddarth’s father, Mahesh Nandyala, shared that his son's talent was evident early on. "We knew Siddarth was different when he started taking apart gadgets not to break them but to figure out how they worked. We encouraged his curiosity by giving him tools, resources, and, most importantly, freedom," he said.

When asked for advice for future innovators, Siddarth emphasized the importance of ethics — particularly in AI and healthcare.

He envisions a future where AI-powered medical solutions are accessible even in remote areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.

He is already working on enhancing Circadian AI to detect lung conditions as well, with the ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive health screening tool that can deliver results in seconds.

If given the chance to implement one advanced educational tool, Siddarth said he would choose mixed reality with AI tutors.

He believes this would make learning science and engineering more engaging by allowing students to explore real-world systems in virtual environments with personalized feedback.

Siddarth cites the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam — scientist and former President of India — as one of his greatest inspirations.