New AI technology shows promise in diagnosing heart conditions

Would you trust your heart to artificial intelligence?

February is Heart Month -- an annual effort to raise awareness about the risks of heart disease and how to reduce those risks.

Related: University of Michigan doctor emphasizes importance of resistance training

We’ve talked a lot about how AI is already improving cancer detection and treatment, but there is great potential to use it in cardiac care as well.

Would you trust your heart to artificial intelligence? Many are open to the idea.

A new survey from the Cleveland Clinic finds three in five Americans believe artificial intelligence will lead to better heart care.

“One of our concerns was always the level of trust the public would have with using AI, so finding that a majority of people see the value in using AI for health purposes was very interesting,” said Dr. Ashish Surraju, a cardiologist with the Cleveland Clinic. “Some examples include being able to use AI to help process data for certain studies like echocardiograms, or CT scans, or MRI and free up some of the more basic data processing tasks.”

72% believe health advice from an AI chatbot is accurate, and 89% would still seek their doctor’s advice before acting on its recommendations.

The survey also looked at wearable technology.

50% of Americans use at least one type of technology to monitor their health -- including tracking steps, monitoring their pulse, and tracking calories.

Nearly 80% say this data has led to positive changes in their mental or physical health, such as exercising more regularly or improving their eating habits.

Surraju said to get the most out of that data, share it with your doctor.

“Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s important data and what shouldn’t concern you,” Surraju said. “I think that’s where speaking with a healthcare professional would be helpful.”

The survey also found health monitoring technology is helping with sleep.

34% of users say they started to pay attention to getting enough sleep -- which is vital for our overall health.

More: Heart Month


About the Author

Dr. McGeorge can be seen on Local 4 News helping Metro Detroiters with health concerns when he isn't helping save lives in the emergency room at Henry Ford Hospital.

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