The invention is directed to an implantable medical device (IMD) that includes
an accelerometer. The accelerometer is used to detect heart tones associated with
blood flow through one or more cardiac valves. In particular, the IMD measures
durations of the heart tones detected by the accelerometer, and uses the measured
durations to identify deterioration of the heart. In this manner, the IMD facilitates
early detection of cardiac deterioration so that proper therapy can be delivered
to the patient to remedy and combat such deterioration.