According to the Daily Mirror, researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a new artificial intelligence system that may detect early signs of heart failure years before it becomes life-threatening.
Subtle health changes often go unnoticed in everyday life. Many people only discover heart issues when symptoms become serious, leaving limited time for effective intervention.
Early signals
The newly developed AI focuses on analysing routine CT scans, searching for patterns in fat surrounding the heart. '
These patterns are not visible through standard medical review but can reveal underlying inflammation.
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This inflammation is linked to the gradual weakening of the heart muscle, a key factor in the development of heart failure.
Study findings
The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, reviewed scans from about 72,000 patients across several NHS trusts.
Results showed that individuals identified as high-risk by the system were far more likely to develop heart failure within five years.
The British Heart Foundation, which supported the project, said this method provides a new level of insight into future cardiac risk.
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Future use
Because the tool works with existing scan data, it could be introduced into healthcare systems without major changes to current procedures.
Researchers believe this could help doctors intervene earlier by:
- identifying high-risk patients sooner
- improving monitoring strategies
- enabling preventative treatment
The team is now working on adapting the technology to assess other types of chest scans, which could expand its role in clinical care.
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