A pioneering new AI technology has been developed that can forecast an individual’s risk of heart failure up to five years in advance, according to a recent study.
In the UK, over eight million people are currently living with cardiovascular diseases, which account for more than 25% of all fatalities in the nation—averaging about 460 deaths daily, or one every three minutes.
Heart-related issues and high blood pressure have often been referred to as ‘silent killers’ due to their ability to manifest without symptoms for extended periods.
Fortunately, the new research suggests that with the integration of artificial intelligence, healthcare professionals could proactively prevent heart failure or manage the condition at its onset.
While AI can be a topic of debate, its impact in the healthcare sector appears promising, generating significant advancements.
Researchers from the University of Oxford have created a groundbreaking tool that analyzes routine heart CT scans for textural changes in the fat surrounding the heart.
A new study has claimed that AI can help doctors identify heart disease early (Getty Stock Image)
These textural changes signify that the underlying heart muscle is inflamed and unhealthy, and importantly, they are undetectable through standard medical imaging tests, as confirmed by the British Heart Foundation.
In essence, the AI analysis serves as an alert for doctors when a patient is at heightened risk of heart failure, a condition where the heart cannot effectively pump blood throughout the body.
This advanced technological tool has been trained and validated using data from 72,000 patients across nine NHS Trusts in England who underwent cardiac CT scans between 2007 and 2022.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study revealed that individuals classified in the highest risk category were 20 times more likely to develop heart failure compared to those in the lowest risk category.
Research indicated that high-risk patients had a one-in-four chance of experiencing heart failure within five years. Thus, acquiring this information early could prove life-saving.
The algorithm of the AI tool has demonstrated an impressive accuracy of 86% in predicting the likelihood of an individual developing heart failure within the next five years.
Moreover, the BHF, which financed the study, noted that until now, there had been no reliable means to predict who may eventually experience heart failure in such a manner.
The new tool claims to identify heart fat that the human eye can’t see (Getty Stock Image)
Researchers are now exploring the possibility of implementing the tool across the NHS.
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, stated: “Heart failure is often diagnosed too late, sometimes only when a patient is hospitalized.”
“Delayed diagnosis may result in patients sustaining severe damage to their heart muscle, damage that could have been avoided.”
She emphasized: “This tool could assist doctors in detecting heart failure earlier by keeping a closer watch on those at greater risk.”
“Timely diagnoses of heart failure are crucial, as they enable doctors to manage a patient’s condition more effectively, increasing their chances of living longer, healthier lives.”
“This study showcases the potential of utilizing technology to advance cardiovascular care.”
