Cardiovascular disease kills 1.7 million Every year in Europe, people more than any other disease.
Currently, 62 million Europeans live with cardiovascular disease. aging populationthis number is likely to reach By 2050, the number will exceed 100 million. That means millions more people will face chronic disease and reduced quality of life, increasing the burden on health systems and society.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help reduce the estimated one in five preventable deaths from cardiovascular disease and improve early detection and treatment for the millions of people living with cardiovascular health problems. A new report from JRC examines how AI is currently being used in cardiovascular care. We also assess the evidence behind the most promising applications, identify barriers to widespread adoption, and recommend how policy can support the use of AI to deliver real benefits to patients, healthcare workers, and healthcare systems.
AI is already making a difference
some AI tools already in daily use clinical practice across European hospitals.
For example, AI can do it automatically. coronary artery calcium scoring From a CT scan that measures calcium deposits in the heart’s major blood vessels.. This is one of the most powerful Predictors of future heart attackAI does it as accurately as a professional radiologist.
AI can also analyze CT scans of coronary arteries to estimate whether the vessels are narrowing. restrict blood flow This is a technique known as CT-derived flow reserve ratio. This will help clinicians decide Which patients require surgery How to open arteries and which patients can be safely treated with medication alone.
In acute stroke treatment, AI can: Detect blockages in major blood vessels Diagnose within seconds of a brain CT scan and automatically alert hospital staff, reducing time to treatment. Improve patient outcomes.
I’ve tried but haven’t tested it yet: Innovative ways to use AI are being developed all the time, but large-scale trials are needed to confirm real-world clinical benefits before they can be used routinely.
For example, subtle warning signs of stroke can be detected by AI tools that can detect patterns in routine electrocardiograms, such as: invisible to doctors. Although early results are promising, clinical trials have not yet determined whether AI-guided screening can prevent stroke.
Harnessing the potential of AI in healthcare: safe, secure and open to all
JRC researchers believe that AI has great potential to revolutionize healthcare in many ways. Enabling early detection, speeding diagnosis and paving the way for personalized medicine can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and ease the strain on Europe’s increasingly strained healthcare systems.
However, the report finds several barriers to the use of AI in cardiovascular care and outlines actions the EU can take to make this vision a reality.
- Clinical evidence comes first. Funding must prioritize independent validation and comparisons between competing tools, not just technical performance. The measure of success should be whether AI improves patient outcomes, care experiences, and sustainable costs.
- Investment in infrastructure. Many hospitals lack the IT systems needed to implement AI. Without targeted investment, AI risks widening rather than reducing existing disparities in cardiovascular care across Europe.
- Regulatory simplification. Navigating multiple regulatory frameworks places an undue burden on small businesses and startups developing many AI cardiovascular tools. The EU is already working on these measures to streamline conformity assessment and reduce administrative burden.
JRC science supports EU healthy heart policy
This report is part of the European Commission’s Safe Heart Plan, which sets out a comprehensive approach to improving cardiovascular health and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease across Europe.
Under the Digital Health pillar of the Plan, the European Commission is working on a €20 million flagship initiative to accelerate the adoption of AI and data-driven tools in cardiovascular care by publishing a blueprint for cardiovascular AI implementation by 2030 and developing common technical specifications and guidance on clinical integration, with the aim of promoting fair access to innovation across Member States.
This report provides the basis of scientific evidence to inform the Plan and its broader policy priorities.
