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"Science fiction operates a little bit like science itself, in principle. You've got thousands of people exploring ideas, putting forth their own hypotheses. Most of them are dead wrong; a few stand the test of time; everything looks kind of quaint in hind"
- Peter Watts

CORA - Coronary Alarm  
  An implanted (or worn) ECG monitor that warns the user of coronary events.  

Morgan visited his physician, Dr. Sen, to discuss his heart issues.

"Well, there's no great harm done - if you follow instructions from now on. Mine and CORA's."

"CORA's?"

"Coronary alarm."

He fumbled around in his desk, and produced a large holopad. "Take your choice - here are the standard models..."

Morgan triggered the images, and regarded them with distaste.

"Where do I have to carry the thing?" he asked. "Or do you want to implant it?"

"That isn't necessary, at least for the present... And it won't bother you unless it's needed."

"And then?"

"Listen."

The doctor threw one of the numerous switches on his desk console, and a sweet mezzo-soprano voice remarked in a conversational tone: "I think you should sit down and rest for about ten minutes... Please take one of the red pills immediately... I have called the ambulance..."

From The Fountains of Paradise, by Arthur C. Clarke.
Published by Ballantine in 1978
Additional resources -

Here's another brief quote that shows makers of heart monitoring systems what is possible - if you have the imagination:

"Dr. Morgan," said CORA, "please lie down and relax for the next ten minutes."

"Would you settle for five?" he pleaded. I'm rather busy at the moment."

CORA did not deign to reply. Although there were units that could conduct simple conversations, his model was not among them...

Thanks to squishyheadboy for the tip on this item.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from The Fountains of Paradise
  More Ideas and Technology by Arthur C. Clarke
  Tech news articles related to The Fountains of Paradise
  Tech news articles related to works by Arthur C. Clarke

CORA - Coronary Alarm-related news articles:
  - EPI Life First ECG Mobile Phone
  - AliveCor Claims Apple Watch Infringes ECG Patents

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