A groundbreaking study has demonstrated that a routine eye scan, analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI), can predict an individual's risk of heart attack or stroke within the next decade, offering a quick and non-invasive method for early detection.

The AI technology, developed by researchers at the University of Dundee, was trained on 4,200 retinal images to identify warning signs like blood vessel narrowing or blockages, achieving a 70% accuracy rate in predicting major cardiovascular events.

This innovative AI system can generate personalized cardiovascular risk assessments in under a second, making it highly practical for integration into routine health checks.

Experts like Dr. Mordi advocate for including this quick eye scan alongside traditional screenings such as blood pressure and cholesterol tests, to facilitate earlier identification of at-risk individuals.

The simplicity and speed of the scan could complement existing health assessments, helping doctors determine who might need medication or lifestyle changes to prevent serious cardiovascular issues.

The study was a collaborative effort involving clinical researchers and computer scientists, highlighting the interdisciplinary approach behind this technological breakthrough.

The findings were published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology, with funding from the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), emphasizing its scientific credibility.

While initially tested on people with diabetes—who routinely undergo retinal scans—the researchers believe this technology has the potential to be applicable to the general population.

Further research is needed to validate the AI's accuracy and determine its practicality in real-world clinical settings before widespread adoption.

Health advocates like Dr. Clare Jonas emphasize the potential of AI to improve early detection of stroke risks, especially among high-risk groups such as diabetics, and call for health policies to incorporate such innovations.

There is significant potential for integrating this AI eye scan into NHS routine checks, enabling early referrals to GPs for preventative measures.

Experts like Professor Bryan Williams stress that improved risk detection could help prevent up to 125,000 heart attacks and strokes in the UK by 2035, aligning with broader public health goals.