A team of researchers has discovered a method that could allow for the early detection of the risk of heart failure up to five years before it occurs, giving patients a valuable opportunity for early intervention and to maintain their health.
Researchers at Oxford University used artificial intelligence to analyze CT scans of the heart, focusing on subtle changes in the fat surrounding the heart that indicate early damage to the heart muscle. These warning signs are invisible to conventional scans but reveal early inflammation in the heart, a major risk factor for heart failure, which occurs when the organ is unable to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.
The research team trained the artificial intelligence system on data from 72,000 patients in England who underwent cardiac computed tomography scans between 2007 and 2022.
The results show that patients classified as high-risk were approximately 20 times more likely to develop heart failure compared to lower-risk patients, with a 25% probability of developing the condition within five years. The method achieved an accuracy rate of up to 86% in predicting the disease.
Dr. Sonia Babu Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Heart failure is often diagnosed too late, meaning that patients may have already suffered severe damage to the heart muscle that could have been avoided. This new approach helps doctors detect the disease early and monitor patients at higher risk."
The researchers hope to implement this method across the UK's National Health Service, so that any routine chest scan can be used to assess the risk of heart failure.
Professor Charalambos Antoniades, the study's lead author, said: "Our method can determine the degree of risk for each patient without human intervention, enabling doctors to make better treatment decisions and provide intensive care to the most vulnerable patients, reducing pressure on hospitals."
The National Health Service indicates that symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath after physical activity or even at rest, fatigue, dizziness, and swelling of the ankles or legs, as well as a persistent cough or rapid heartbeat. These symptoms often develop gradually over weeks or months.
