Scientists test new “algorithm" to help prevent heart attacks

Researchers in Scotland are leading a new technology project which they hope will help identify patients at risk of heart attack before symptoms develop, potentially saving thousands of lives.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have been given a grant of £545,000 from us to create and test a computer “algorithm” capable of detecting undiagnosed coronary heart disease in CT scans.

CT scans are increasingly used to identify a range of diseases, unrelated to the heart. However, there are often signs of hardening of the arteries on these scans. Researchers are to develop an automated way of finding and measuring these signs and by linking them with other risk factors for heart disease, it’s hoped that in the future, this algorithm could detect patients at risk of heart disease. This would enable doctors to potentially treat patients before they have a heart attack.

Improving survival rates

The project is being led by Dr Michelle Williams, from our Centre for Cardiovascular Science at the University of Edinburgh. 

“There are over 10,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks each year in Scotland alone and while survival rates have significantly improved over the years, it is vital we try to find new ways to stop them from happening in the first place,” Dr Williams explains.

“There is much work to be done to develop and test such an algorithm, but ultimately we would hope it could be used to spot the signs of coronary artery disease in clinical practice and identify patients who may otherwise be missed.”

Lee Anne Porteous from Paisley had a heart attack earlier this year, at the age of 37 and says the diagnosis came as a complete shock. 

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Lee Anne admits.  “Looking back now, even when I was clearly experiencing symptoms, it simply didn’t cross my mind that it was a heart attack because I didn’t think they could happen in someone so young and I thought I was fit and healthy."

"I feel so lucky to be here to celebrate Christmas"

Lee Anne continues: "I feel so lucky to be here to celebrate Christmas with my husband and my daughter, because I know others are not so fortunate. That is why research is important. I had to have a stent fitted because of a blocked artery. That procedure came about because of advances in research and so anything new that can be done to reduce the number of people dying from heart attack has to be welcomed.”

The algorithm will be developed and tested using CT scans from previous and on-going research studies at the university.

Our Associate Medical Director, Professor James Leiper, said: “This is an exciting project that in the future could have real implications for clinicians and most importantly, of course, for patients. It’s vital we find new ways to identify risk factors for heart disease so we can treat patients before symptoms occur. Over the years, research has played a pivotal role in increasing survival rates from heart attack. In the 1960s, more than 7 out of 10 heart attacks in the UK were fatal. Now, thanks in part to research funded by us, at least 7 out of 10 people survive and we hope new projects like this one in Edinburgh could help save and improve many more lives.”