in SBC
Machines are better than humans at calculating cardiovascular risks in patients, says researcher
The second day of the Brazilian Congress of Cardiology/World Congress started with a morning full of debates in auditorium 02. The main topic covered the challenges for preventing risks of cardiovascular diseases with analyzed epidemiological data. Renowned professionals took part in the symposium: Glaucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira, cardiologist and professor at UFRJ cardiologist, Fausto Pinto, dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, epidemiologist and professor at Northwestern University. The debate was mediated by the presidents of North American cardiology associations.
The researcher Fausto Pinto opened the presentation with a speech about preventing risks of cardiovascular diseases. The professional highlighted the worldwide increase in the consumption of processed foods and a decrease in the vegetables and fruits intake, especially by infants and juveniles. He also pointed out that diets rich in nutrients play an important role in genes and, consequently, reduction of CVD. Another important point concerns the personalized nutrition of patients based on clinical and genetic knowledge of each individual.
Followed by that, Glaucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira showed statistical data on cardiovascular diseases. To address the issue, the professor brought three studies that demonstrate the increase in some diseases and events, such as stroke (Cerebral Vascular Accident). Data on CVD prevalence in men and women were covered in order to raise an important question: how health professionals should take care of people so the numbers can improve.
Finally, Donald M. Lloyd-Jones approached the importance of using technologies for the assessment and risk analysis of patients with cardiovascular diseases. In his presentation, he showed how machines are assertive when it comes to predicting risks concerning each patient’s heart health.
A risk assessment model used in the US was presented by Donald. To summarize it, this model has three steps that help determine the best treatment and strategy when caring for a patient. Before his final speech, Lloyd said that “machines are better than humans at calculating cardiovascular risks in patients.” However, he concludes that it is still necessary to know how hospitals and doctors will incorporate such technologies in their management and care.
