Recent findings published in the journal ESC Heart Failure reveal that MRI scans can facilitate the prevention and early treatment of heart failure.

The study, conducted by the University of East Anglia and Queen Mary University of London, identified key risk factors for increased heart pressure that can lead to heart failure.

Key risk factors for elevated heart pressure include being over 70 years old, having high blood pressure, obesity, alcohol consumption, and being male.

Approximately one million people in the UK are living with heart failure, with 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year, primarily affecting older individuals.

The study analyzed data from over 39,000 UK Biobank participants, demonstrating that MRI can identify heart failure risk without invasive procedures.

Participants with higher heart pressure detected by MRI were found to have a fivefold increased risk of developing heart failure over six years.

The research utilized artificial intelligence techniques to analyze heart MRI data and assess future heart failure risks over a six-year follow-up period.

The study suggests that MRI scans could replace invasive heart tests currently used in the NHS, which require catheter insertion into the heart.

Heart MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the heart without harmful radiation, unlike X-rays or CT scans.

The research was supported by various institutions including the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Wellcome Trust.

Dr. Pankaj Garg, the lead author, emphasized that this advancement could improve early diagnosis and outcomes for patients at risk.