UAE’s Medcare Hospital Al Safa launches AI tech to spot heart disease before it even begins

Heart disease is no longer a distant worry reserved for later in life. In the UAE, doctors are seeing younger and younger patients walk through their doors with serious cardiac problems — sometimes even in their 30s and 40s. Medcare Hospital Al Safa is taking this growing crisis head-on with a bold new approach: AI-powered diagnostics that spot trouble before it starts.

As Dr. Brajesh Mittal, Head of Cardiology at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, puts it: "The launch of Cardio Explorer is a game-changer for early intervention. It allows us to intervene much earlier, often before the first warning signs." That's not just good news — that's a potential lifesaver.

How does it work?

The star of the show is Cardio Explorer, a CE-certified AI algorithm that analyzes a combination of blood biomarkers, clinical data (such as age and blood pressure), and personal risk factors. The process is refreshingly simple:

• A quick blood draw
• Recording key metrics like blood pressure
• AI crunches the data and generates a personalized heart-risk score

Within 48-72 hours, a cardiologist reviews the results and walks patients through their risk profile. The test boasts 95% diagnostic accuracy — on par with CT angiography and cardiac MRI — but without the radiation, physical strain, or hospital hassle.

As Dr. Ghassan Nakad explains: "What sets this test apart is its simplicity, safety, and proven clinical value. It avoids invasive procedures and radiation exposure, yet delivers accurate, actionable insights."

Why does it matter?

Because the numbers are sounding alarms. Nearly half of Medcare's heart-attack patients are under 50. In fact, UAE residents are developing coronary artery disease about 15 years earlier than the global average. That's not a blip — that's a trend.

Clinical studies back this up: across the MENA and South Asia regions, the average age for a first heart attack has dropped by 5-10 years. In 2023 alone, over 9,800 patients under the age of 45 visited Medcare's cardiology clinics. Of those, 30% required further testing, and 3% had serious diagnoses that necessitated immediate care.

This test is particularly valuable for those with high-risk profiles — sedentary lifestyles, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, or early symptoms like chest discomfort or shortness of breath. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, patients can take control earlier and potentially change their life trajectory.

The context

Globally, 10-30% of heart-attack admissions are now in young people. That's reshaping how cardiology is practiced. Preventive care — rather than reactive treatment — is becoming the north star. AI is stepping in as the bridge.

As Dr. Yogeswari Vellore Satyanarayanan points out, "AI holds the promise of democratising heart care." By weaving together complex biological data, AI can help uncover new biomarkers, refine risk prediction, and even design safer therapies.

Medcare is also backing this with infrastructure: a new state-of-the-art Cath Lab in Sharjah, a Smart Heart Failure Clinic, and specialty services for pulmonary hypertension and cardio-obstetrics. It's a full-court press on heart disease.

In short, Cardio Explorer isn't just another gadget in the hospital's toolkit — it's a signal that preventive, patient-centered cardiology is finally here. And for many in the UAE, that may mean living not just longer, but better.