We estimate around 6,000 heart attacks in the UK have been avoided in the last decade,1 thanks to the introduction of new a routine heart scan.

Coronary computed tomography angiogram (CCTA) scans help doctors to identify coronary heart disease, narrowing and blockages in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. If left untreated, coronary heart disease can lead to a heart attack.

Coronary computed tomography angiogram trial

Since 2016, UK guidelines have recommended CCTA scans as one of the first tests for someone experiencing new chest pain. The results of our SCOT-HEART trial² fed into the evidence for the update. Now, our research, part funded by the British Heart Foundation and published in The Lancet, shows that the benefits of CCTA scans extend as far as a decade beyond a patient’s scan.

The benefits of CCTA
scans extend as far as a
decade beyond a patient’s scan.

CCTA scans reduce heart attacks

Our 10-year follow up of the SCOT-HEART trial³ found that the number of non-fatal heart attacks in the group who had a CCTA scan was 28% lower compared to those who had standard tests. Applied across the UK population and the current rate of CCTA use, we estimate that this equates to 6,000 heart attacks avoided over the last 10 years.¹ 

This is likely due to more people in the CCTA group being prescribed preventative medicines. At 10 years, 56% of the group were taking medicines — including aspirin and statins — to reduce their risk of a heart attack compared to 49% in the standard tests group. 

Improving long-term outcomes for more people

Early results showed that people who had CCTA scans were more likely to undergo additional proceduresin the first year after their scan. By five years, the number of procedures had evened out between the groups, but the CCTA group were less likely to have had a heart attack and more likely to be taking preventative drugs. 

However, access to CCTA scans remains variable across the country. We want to see more opportunities for testing across the UK to address this, such as the community diagnostic hubs being rolled out by the NHS in England, so that more people can benefit from this game-changing innovation.

[1] Piercy L. 2025. British Heart Foundation. Routine scans prevent thousands of heart attacks.
[2] The Lancet, Volume 385, Issue 9985, 2383 – 2391. CT coronary angiography in patients with suspected angina due to coronary heart disease (SCOT-HEART): an open-label, parallel-group, multicentre trial.
[3] Williams Michelle C et al. The Lancet, Volume 405, Issue 10475, 329 – 337. Coronary CT angiography-guided management of patients with stable chest pain: 10-year outcomes from the SCOT-HEART randomised controlled trial in Scotland.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the field of cardiology, offering new hope for patients with cardiovascular disorders. AI is no longer futuristic, it’s a real-world tool, transforming patient care and outcomes.

One of the key areas where AI is making a significant impact is in the early detection of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Traditional methods often fail to diagnose CVD before symptoms appear, leading to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes. AI, however, can analyse vast amounts of data from electrocardiograms (ECGs) and other diagnostic tools to identify early signs of heart disease that might be missed by human eyes, which improves diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.¹

By analysing patient data, AI can help
doctors tailor treatments to individual needs.

Personalising cardiology treatment

AI also plays a crucial role in personalising treatment plans. By analysing patient data, AI can help doctors tailor treatments to individual needs, ensuring that each patient receives the most effective therapy. This personalised approach is particularly beneficial in managing complex conditions like heart failure, where treatment needs to be adjusted frequently based on the patient’s response.

AI-powered digital devices

The use of wearable and portable devices is another exciting development in AI cardiology. These devices, such as smartwatches and portable ECG monitors, enable continuous monitoring of heart health, providing real-time data to both patients and healthcare providers. This continuous monitoring can lead to early intervention and better management of chronic conditions, ultimately reducing hospitalisations and improving quality of life.²

Effective AI integration in healthcare

Despite these advancements, there are still significant challenges to overcome when it comes to getting healthcare professionals confident about realising the full potential of these AI-powered technologies and tools. Healthcare professionals already face an exponential rise in medical information which is doubling at least every 73 days.³ Furthermore, the integration of AI into healthcare systems requires robust data privacy measures and regulatory oversight to ensure patient safety and data security.⁴

Fully and safely realising AI capabilities

AI is poised to transform cardiology by enhancing early disease detection, personalising treatment and improving overall care quality. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for AI to improve outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disorders is immense; however, ongoing education is needed in its widespread adoption to ensure it is being utilised to its full capabilities. The future of cardiology is bright, with AI leading the way towards more efficient, accurate and personalised care.

[1] Attia, Z.I., et al. (2019). ‘An artificial intelligence-enabled ECG algorithm for the identification of patients with atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a retrospective analysis of outcome prediction’, The Lancet, 394(10201), pp. 861–867. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31721-07. 
[2] Khunte, A., et al. (2023). ‘Detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction from single-lead electrocardiography adapted for portable and wearable devices’, NPJ Digital Medicine, 6(1), p. 124. doi: 10.1038/s41746-023-00869-w.
[3] Koenig, H.G. (2012) ‘Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications’, International Scholarly Research Notices, 2012, pp. 1–33. doi: 10.5402/2012/278730.
[4] Chustecki M. Interact J Med Res. 2024;13:e53616; Davenport T, et al. Future Healthc J. 2019;6:94-98; Khera R, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024;84:97-114; Khera R, et al. JAMA. 2023;330:2255-2257.

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A landmark consensus in Heart1 (BCS/BMJ) confirmed that, despite heart disease being the leading cause of death in women, they remain underdiagnosed, undertreated and underrepresented in all aspects of care.

The article showed that women are less likely to receive life-saving treatment in an emergency, less likely to be given medication to prevent a heart attack or stroke and less likely to have their heart issues taken seriously. Women are also treated based on evidence gained from male-only research studies, whereas their symptoms and treatment needs can be different.

Heart disease prevention in women

Together, the group of authors from across the British Cardiovascular Society and our affiliated societies, led by Professor Vijay Kunadian of Newcastle University, proposes a series of over 50 measures across the different disease areas to improve women’s access to diagnosis, treatment and preventive care. These far-reaching measures will address all levels of the issue, from broad-based awareness campaigns to prevent heart disease and help women recognise their own risks to changing the way healthcare staff approach signs and symptoms more prevalent in women.

Healthcare professionals will
need training to become more
attuned to women’s specific needs.

Women-centred research and training

Specific recommendations include ensuring women are included in research studies and undertaking some women-only studies; identifying areas of practice where heart disease may present differently in women; reducing waiting times for tests and treatment; researching the right doses of drugs for women; and extra training for healthcare staff on heart disease in pregnant and menopausal women.

Importantly, the statement calls for a ‘holistic woman-centred approach to heart care that listens to and incorporates women’s experiences and insights’ and information that is tailored to the needs of women. It highlights heart conditions that predominantly or exclusively affect women. Healthcare professionals will need training to become more attuned to women’s specific needs, including women’s cardiac symptoms.

Women’s hearts matter

The final recommendation is that ‘every woman should feel that her heart matters.’ It will take time and effort to redress the balance in women’s cardiovascular health, but we are committed to making that a reality.

[1] Tayal U, et al. Advancing the access to cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment among women with cardiovascular disease: a joint British Cardiovascular Societies’ consensus document. Heart 2024;110:e3-e15. 

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