Apr 10, 2026
3 min read
Learn how revolutionary AI can predict heart failure up to 5 years in advance by analyzing normal heart scans.
Oxford AI Predicts Heart Failure Five Years Before Symptoms: A Revolutionary Discovery!
More than one million people in the UK are living with heart failure, but the diagnosis is often made when the disease is well advanced.Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed an artificial intelligence tool that promises to be a game-changer: it can help detect disease before the first symptoms appear.This development, detailed in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, opens new perspectives for early treatment.
Artificial intelligence reveals hidden heart risks long before symptoms appear
According to work recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers at the University of Oxford have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of predicting heart failure years before clinical symptoms appear.Thanks to this innovation, the early identification of people at risk of the disease could be significantly improved, a real step forward in the early diagnosis of the disorder, which affects more than one million patients in the UK.
Cardiac scanners reinterpreted by AI
The tool analyzes data from CT scans, which are routinely performed for other indications, such as detecting plaque in the coronary arteries.Around 350,000 Britons benefit from this test every year.Artificial intelligence sees fat around the heart, which is an early response to myocardial inflammation.These subtle changes, which cannot be seen on standard imaging, constitute early signs of heart failure, according to Oxford scientists.Changes in the composition and composition of these oils prevent disease years in advance.
An algorithm that provides the warning in a targeted way
An algorithm examining the structure of pericardial fat determines those who are most at risk of future heart failure.Individuals in this category have twenty-three times the risk compared to those who rate as high risk;In high-risk patients, the diagnosis could also be made in four cases in the next five years.
Promising results for thousands of patients
To establish the technology's reliability, the team trained more than 70,000 participants from nine hospital centers using images and medical data.A ten-year follow-up confirmed the robustness of its prediction.During the pilot phase with 13,000 people, the accuracy rate in predicting the development of heart failure five years later increased to 86%.
Expand monitoring of risk profiles
This approach is a milestone in the early diagnosis of often delayed diseases.The team wants to expand the use of this artificial intelligence to other types of chest scanners, which will eventually enable patient identification for tests in other medical fields.Once validated, the device can be integrated into routine imaging analysis and support face-to-face monitoring in the UK NHS.The project is supported by the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre.(NIHR) funded in Oxford.
What are the early signs of heart failure?
The first signs may be discreet: unusual tiredness, shortness of breath during exercise, swelling in the legs or rapid weight gain. These symptoms often appear late, hence the importance of early detection.
Can artificial intelligence really improve medical diagnosis?
Yes, more and more research shows that AI can help diagnose certain diseases earlier and more accurately.It is used as a tool to help doctors make decisions.
Can we prevent heart attacks thanks to these advances?
Yes, after early identification of people belonging to the risk group, it is possible to take preventive measures, for example changing lifestyle or adjusting treatment, to limit the progression of the disease.
My name is Soulef MOKANDO and I am the editor of PasseportSanté.I aim to make health content accessible to everyone, with clear and useful information... View Profile
- BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION.New AI tool can predict heart failure at least five years before it develops [online].Source: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/news-archive/2026/april/new-ai-tool-can-predict-heart-failure-at-least-five-years-before-it-develops
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