News DeskDubai, UAE – Medcare Hospital Al Safa has launched a groundbreaking AI-powered blood test, Cardio Explorer, aimed at combating the rising trend of heart disease among young people in the UAE. The new technology is a direct response to a concerning statistic: nearly 50% of Medcare patients experiencing myocardial infarctions are under the age of 50.
The unveiling of this diagnostic tool comes amidst alarming data indicating that residents in the UAE are developing coronary artery disease an average of 15 years earlier than their counterparts in other countries. Globally, reports from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia show the average age for a first heart attack has dropped by 5 to 10 years.
“The launch of Cardio Explorer is a game-changer for early intervention,” said Dr. Brajesh Mittal, Head of Cardiology Department at Medcare Hospital Al Safa. “It allows us to intervene much earlier, often before the first warning signs. This improves our ability to detect coronary artery disease at a stage where we can still make a significant difference through early treatment and lifestyle changes.”
The CE-certified AI algorithm, developed in Europe, analyzes a combination of blood biomarkers, clinical parameters, and individual risk factors. After a simple blood draw, the system provides a personalized heart risk score with a remarkable 95% diagnostic accuracy, a level comparable to traditional, more invasive methods like CT angiography and cardiac MRI.
“What sets this test apart is its simplicity, safety, and proven clinical value,” said Dr. Ghassan Nakad, Specialist Interventional Cardiology at Medcare Hospital Al Safa. “It avoids invasive procedures and radiation exposure, yet delivers accurate, actionable insights.”
The test, which delivers results within 48 to 72 hours, is particularly beneficial for individuals with known risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, or those with a sedentary lifestyle and a history of smoking. It also offers a safe alternative for patients who cannot undergo traditional stress tests or imaging due to their age, other health issues, or implanted cardiac devices.
Dr. Nakad highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that while young people experiencing heart attacks typically account for 10-30% of all admissions globally, Medcare hospitals in the UAE have seen this number soar to 50% for patients under 50. Last year, out of 11,631 cardiology patients in the Medcare network, 9,817 were 45 or younger. Of these younger patients, 30% were suspected of having cardiac conditions, and 3% were diagnosed with serious heart issues.
“It is quite shocking that this is close to older patients, where 46% had detailed testing and about 5% needed treatment,” Dr. Nakad said. “Sadly, young people are catching up to older people when it comes to age-related diseases, with heart issues starting sooner.”
Dr. Yogeswari Vellore Satyanarayanan, a specialist cardiologist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital Al Qusais and Medcare Hospital Sharjah, emphasized the broader impact of AI in healthcare. “AI holds the promise of democratizing heart care,” she said. “AI’s ability to combine complex biological data promises to redefine how we classify heart diseases, discover new biomarkers, and design safer therapies.”
Medcare is also expanding its cardiovascular services with a new state-of-the-art Cath Lab in Medcare Sharjah and specialized services like the Smart Heart Failure clinic, pulmonary hypertension, and cardio obstetrics.
By offering a proactive, non-invasive way to detect coronary artery disease early, Medcare Hospital Al Safa is setting a new standard in preventive cardiac care, empowering patients to take control of their heart health before it is too late.
