Experts Highlight AI's Potential to Transform Heart Disease Treatment in India
New Delhi: Experts emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly enhance heart disease treatment in India through early detection and personalized therapies. Heart disease remains the primary cause of death in the country, making advancements in its treatment crucial.
Speaking at the two-day 'Cardiology Summa 2024' event in New Delhi, Dr. Balbir Singh, Chairman of Cardiology at Max Healthcare, stated that AI could play a pivotal role in predicting cardiac events, allowing patients to seek medical help earlier. AI also has the unique capability to identify subtle changes in voice and eye conditions that conventional diagnostic methods might overlook. Dr. Singh highlighted that “AI has the capacity to revolutionize cardiology by facilitating early detection, tailoring treatment plans, and improving patient outcomes.” He further noted that AI's ability to analyze large datasets quickly and accurately can help clinicians make better-informed decisions, leading to more timely and effective interventions in cardiac care.
Experts also emphasized the broader impact of AI on healthcare, particularly for India’s large rural population, where healthcare access remains limited. Dr. Paul A. Friedman, Chair of Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, pointed out that AI could be highly beneficial in India’s healthcare sector due to the country's extensive rural landscape and localized advanced care centers. He explained that AI’s role in medicine encompasses three primary functions: faster interpretation of ECGs and other diagnostic tests, early identification of disease, and the prediction of future health risks. AI can help healthcare providers deliver more efficient and precise care by enabling faster readings and pinpointing those needing specialized care.
The experts also acknowledged the significant growth of India's healthcare sector over the past two decades. Dr. Gurpreet Sandhu, Vice Chair of Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, praised the country’s healthcare expansion, which has accelerated further post-pandemic. “The rapid development of healthcare infrastructure, including new hospitals and cutting-edge technologies, particularly in cardiology, is noteworthy,” Dr. Sandhu noted. He added that these advancements signal a promising future for India's healthcare sector.
The 'Cardiology Summa 2024' event served as a platform for leading cardiologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to discuss the latest advancements in cardiology, innovative treatment approaches, and the integration of technologies like AI in cardiac diagnostics and patient management. The summit highlighted AI's transformative potential in improving the quality of cardiac care and addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by India’s diverse population.
Nidhi Srivastava is a dietician. She holds a post-graduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from MRIIRS. With a profound passion for utilizing nutrition and lifestyle modifications to manage diseases, she is dedicated to advancing the field through rigorous research and fact-checking. Her expertise lies in evidence-based practice, ensuring the highest standards of dietary health and wellness.