The Medcare Hospital Al Safa in Dubai. SUPPLIED

In Dubai, a simple blood test at Medcare Hospital Al Safa can now change how heart disease is detected — long before it strikes. The hospital has introduced Cardio Explorer, an AI-powered diagnostic tool that can predict the development of coronary artery disease with 95 percent accuracy, even before symptoms appear. It’s being hailed as a breakthrough in preventive cardiology, especially as doctors warn of a surge in heart-related illnesses among young people in the UAE. Across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, the average age for a first heart attack has dropped by five to 10 years, with UAE residents experiencing coronary artery disease around 15 years earlier than people in other parts of the world. “The launch of Cardio Explorer is a game-changer for early intervention,” said Dr. Brajesh Mittal, Head of the 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 test itself is remarkably straightforward: a patient provides a blood sample, which is analyzed using a CE-certified AI algorithm developed in Europe. The system reviews blood biomarkers, clinical data such as blood pressure and age, and personal risk factors. Within 48 to 72 hours, results are returned as a personalized “heart risk score,” reviewed by a cardiologist. Unlike CT scans or stress tests, Cardio Explorer involves no radiation, no invasive procedures, and no strenuous activity — making it suitable even for patients with implanted devices or other health complications. Dr. Ghassan Nakad, Specialist Interventional Cardiology at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, highlighted the technology’s appeal: “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. For patients with known risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of cardiovascular disease, it offers either peace of mind or an early window for intervention.” The statistics are sobering. Nearly 50 percent of Medcare’s cardiac patients in the UAE are under the age of 50. In 2023 alone, more than 11,000 patients visited Medcare’s cardiology outpatient departments, with nearly 10,000 of them under 45. Roughly 30 percent required detailed testing, and 3 percent were diagnosed with serious heart issues needing advanced treatment. “It is quite shocking,” Dr. Nakad admitted. “Sadly, young people are catching up to older patients when it comes to age-related diseases, with heart issues starting sooner.” For Dubai’s fast-paced, high-stress population — where sedentary lifestyles, smoking, and poor diets are common risk factors — the test offers a proactive way to safeguard health. Even mild symptoms such as unexplained fatigue or chest discomfort could be enough reason to take it. Dr. Yogeswari Vellore Satyanarayanan, Specialist Cardiology at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital Al Qusais, said: “AI holds the promise of democratising heart care. Its ability to combine complex biological data promises to redefine how we classify heart diseases, discover new biomarkers, and design safer therapies.” With its launch of Cardio Explorer, Medcare Hospital Al Safa positions Dubai at the forefront of a new era in heart care — one where early detection may be the key to saving lives. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Dubai architect-artist dies from heart attack
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