The benefits of AI and machine learning are being realized all across healthcare, and the applications for it in cardiac care are particularly exciting. David E. Albert, M.D., the founder and chief medical officer of AliveCor, shares his thoughts on how AI is impacting cardiac care currently and what the future may hold.
How can patients be proactive about their heart health?
It’s no secret that heart disease remains the leading killer of Americans, with an estimated 12 million people projected to have one of the most common and potentially dangerous arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation (AFib), by 2030. But the good news is that heart health solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can help patients track and take control of their cardiac health.
In recent years, new and affordable AI-powered cardiac monitoring tools have been introduced that enable individuals to monitor their heart health, no matter where they are, and potentially seek faster care. What’s more, these devices are designed for everyday life, easily fitting into a purse, pocket, or even a wallet.
But the first, most critical step for people concerned about their heart health is to consult with their doctor. In many cases, physicians will recommend an FDA-cleared device that can provide patients with trusted data, even outside of the traditional hospital setting.
How are physicians today able to leverage AI to enhance cardiac care?
AI technology is revolutionizing how and where physicians can administer electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. Whereas traditional 12-lead ECG devices are clunky and require extensive resources that are typically available only in hospitals, today, physicians can utilize new AI-powered, FDA-cleared technology, extending opportunities for ECG screenings to remote settings, such as urgent care, primary care, and rural health facilities.
These portable and pocket-sized devices provide outstanding clinical efficiency and performance that is substantially equivalent to state-of-the-art ECG analysis solutions, and can detect 35 abnormalities — including heart attack. Furthermore, the new technology requires just five electrodes (sensors) and has built-in AI-based support to make ECG monitoring far simpler, allowing providers to implement more personalized care for patients.
How do you envision cardiac care evolving in the future?
The future of cardiac care is one where AI and personal health technologies empower and increasingly connect patients and physicians within a more holistic healthcare ecosystem.
This will allow physicians to create more personalized treatment plans for each patient’s unique needs, while patients themselves can be more engaged in managing their heart health. Here, cardiac care becomes a partnership between technology, patient, and provider, centered on prevention and precision, rather than crisis response.
Organizations like my company, AliveCor, are at the heart of this transformation. Together, we’re combining the power of machine learning, and generative and non-generative AI to bring patients and healthcare providers a portfolio of solutions that aims to democratize access to cardiac care for every patient, everywhere.
