Artificial intelligence transforms cardiology: from ECGs to facial photos, cardiovascular risk can be predicted

Artificial intelligence technology is significantly changing how heart disease is detected and prevented, giving doctors new opportunities to identify risks at an early stage.

Algorithms can analyze data from an electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, mammogram and even an ordinary photograph of the face. Through these analyses, they can detect hidden signs and calculate the likelihood that an individual will develop cardiovascular disease in the coming years.

These findings were presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC 2026), held in Munich from August 28 to 31.

Athanasios Trikas, associate professor of Cardiology at the University of Athens, coordinating director of the Cardiology Clinic at Evangelismos and secretary-general of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology, also took part in the event. He chaired sessions devoted to artificial intelligence and heart failure.

Speaking to the FM Agency, Trikas said that artificial intelligence can combine information from different examinations and help doctors identify patients who may develop cardiovascular disease in the future.

According to him, one of the biggest challenges in heart failure is detecting the disease before the patient develops symptoms.

“Here too, artificial intelligence can be a particularly powerful tool in the hands of the doctor, but without replacing them,” Trikas said.

Updated guidelines on heart failure, cardiac rehabilitation and care for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease were also presented during the congress.

One of the significant changes concerns how heart failure is classified. Whereas three categories were previously used, the new guidelines divide the disease into two main groups: patients with impaired systolic function of the heart and those with impaired diastolic function.

This division, Trikas explained, enables more tailored treatment, including for patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. In these cases, emphasis is also placed on comorbidities, including hypertension, arrhythmias, kidney disease and atrial fibrillation.

The new guidelines give particular priority to preventing and treating factors that can lead to heart failure.

The professor stressed the importance of controlling risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, blood lipid disorders and body weight.

He emphasized that “the initial treatment of all causes leading to the syndrome of cardiac insufficiency” is one of the most important steps, since once symptoms appear, the disease may progress to more severe stages.

Data on a new pharmaceutical treatment for heart failure were also published at the scientific meeting. The results were considered encouraging for expanding treatment options.

However, alongside drug therapies and technological innovations, organized physical activity, patient health education and active patient involvement in the treatment process continue to be particularly important.

Another important element of the new guidelines is the increased attention paid to the relationship between heart disease and kidney problems.

According to Trikas, monitoring should remain continuous even when a patient has heart disease but normal kidney function, or kidney problems while the heart is functioning normally.

For this reason, closer cooperation between cardiologists and nephrologists is required, while examinations should be planned in a way that assesses the condition of the heart and kidneys simultaneously.

According to Professor Athanasios Trikas, the main message of the Cardiology Congress in Munich is that the field is entering a new stage. Prevention, personalized therapies, artificial intelligence and cooperation among specialties could bring significant changes to the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease.