How health AI and ultrasound help spot heart disease

Did you know that your heart can show signs of disease long before you feel sick? Thanks to new advances in health AI and portable ultrasound, doctors are getting better at finding heart problems early and keeping patients healthier for longer. Let’s explore how these tools work together and why they matter for everyone, from kids to grandparents.

Why early heart detection matters

Heart disease is the number one health problem worldwide and is responsible for many hospital visits and deaths. Doctors have always worked hard to help people lower their risk; they recommend healthy habits, medicines, and regular check-ups. But it’s not always easy to know who needs extra help or when a problem is starting. Traditional risk calculators often miss early signs, especially in young people or those from different backgrounds. According to research reviewed by Cooney and colleagues, these calculators can sometimes overestimate or underestimate a person’s actual risk (see this study).

What is focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS)?

Doctors use a special portable device called focused cardiac ultrasound, or FoCUS, to quickly take pictures of the heart right at the patient’s bedside. Unlike big, complicated machines, FoCUS is small and can be used almost anywhere, even in rural clinics or emergency rooms (learn about its use in remote areas). It’s safe, easy to repeat, and doesn’t use harmful radiation. FoCUS lets healthcare workers spot problems like weak heart muscles, leaky valves, or signs of heart failure early on.

How artificial intelligence makes ultrasound smarter

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is like a super helper for doctors. When added to FoCUS, AI can guide users to get better pictures, automatically spot problems, and even write up parts of the report. This means that even doctors who aren’t heart specialists can use FoCUS more accurately and confidently. Studies have shown that health AI can improve how quickly and correctly heart scans are read (see this automated workflow study). For more on how AI is making it easier for doctors to read medical scans, you can check out this SlothMD article.

Measuring your heart’s biological age

Did you know your heart can be older or younger than you are? Scientists call this your biological age. If your heart is aging faster than the rest of you, it could mean you’re at higher risk for heart trouble. AI can help estimate this by looking at special features in your heart’s ultrasound images. One study found that people whose heart’s biological age was much older than their real age had a higher chance of health problems, while those with a younger heart age did better (read about biological heart aging). This information can help doctors give more personalized advice on how to stay healthy.

Spotting hidden heart conditions early

AI-powered FoCUS isn’t just about age. It can also help find other problems:

• Valvular heart disease: When the heart’s valves don’t open or close properly, it can cause serious issues. Studies show that AI can help spot valve problems during quick scans (see automated valve assessment).

• Atrial fibrillation (AF): This is a common heart rhythm problem that sometimes hides without symptoms. AI can look for clues in heart images that suggest AF, even if it’s not caught on a regular test.

• Heart failure: AI can help detect early signs of heart failure before a person feels sick. This means treatment can start sooner and help people feel better for longer.

Making heart care more accessible and efficient

Because FoCUS devices are small and AI helps make them easier to use, more doctors and nurses can use them in regular check-ups. This could mean that in the future, everyone might get a quick heart scan during a routine visit, helping to catch problems sooner. Of course, as with any new technology, there are challenges. AI tools need to be carefully tested and kept private and secure. If you want to learn more about keeping your health data safe when using AI, check out this SlothMD privacy guide.

What it means for patients

With AI-powered FoCUS, doctors can better understand your risk and catch heart problems when they are easier to treat. This means you can make more informed decisions about your health and get the right care at the right time. As health AI tools become more common, you may see these smart heart checks in your own clinic soon! For a deep dive into the latest science, you can read the full perspective article (AI assisted focused cardiac ultrasound in preventive cardiology), which explains how this technology is shaping the future of heart care.