shot-button
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi
Home > Lifestyle News > Health And Fitness News > Article > Facial thermal imaging AI can accurately predict heart disease risk

Facial thermal imaging, AI can accurately predict heart disease risk

Updated on: 04 June,2024 03:02 PM IST  |  Mumbai
IANS |

Coupled with artificial intelligence (AI), it has emerged as a promising tool for disease assessment as it can identify areas of abnormal blood circulation and inflammation from skin temperature patterns.

Facial thermal imaging, AI can accurately predict heart disease risk

Image for representational purposes only. Photo Courtesy: iStock

Using a combination of facial thermal imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) can accurately detect coronary artery disease risk, finds research published in the journal BMJ Health & Care Informatics on Tuesday.


Caused by the buildup of plaques, coronary artery disease is the damage or disease in the heart's major blood vessels and can lead to heart attack.


Researchers led by Tsinghua University in Beijing, China showed that thermal imaging captures temperature distribution and variations on the object’s surface by detecting the infrared radiation emitted by that object. 


Coupled with AI, it has emerged as a promising tool for disease assessment as it can identify areas of abnormal blood circulation and inflammation from skin temperature patterns.

The researchers said it is non-invasive, gives real-time measurement, and is more effective than conventional methods that could be adopted for clinical practice.

On the other hand, current guidelines for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease rely on probability assessment of risk factors, not often accurate or widely applicable, coupled with ECG readings, angiograms, and blood tests, which are time-consuming and invasive.

Of 460 people with suspected heart disease in the study, using the new thermal imaging of faces and validating via an AI-assisted imaging model, 322 participants (70 per cent) were confirmed to have coronary artery disease. 

The approach was about 13 per cent better at predicting coronary artery disease than the pretest risk assessment.

“The feasibility of [thermal imaging] based [coronary artery disease] prediction suggests potential future applications and research opportunities,” the team said.

“As a biophysiological-based health assessment modality, [it] provides disease-relevant information beyond traditional clinical measures that could enhance [atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease] and related chronic condition assessment,” they added, calling for larger studies.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK