groundbreaking collaboration positions NCH at the forefront of preventive cardiology
Naples Community Hospital (NCH) in partnership with Caristo Diagnostics has announced a landmark use of artificial intelligence to detect a hidden risk of heart attack up to a decade in advance. This first-of-its-kind deployment in the United States signals a major shift in preventive cardiology, enabling clinicians to identify at-risk patients long before traditional symptoms emerge. The collaboration aligns NCH with cutting-edge technology that reads subtle signals in medical imaging and patient data, turning them into early warnings that can drive life-saving interventions.
How the AI works and what makes it different
The Caristo Diagnostics platform analyzes a range of data sources, including imaging studies and clinical records, to identify patterns that human reviewers might miss. By focusing on early indicators of coronary artery disease and myocardial stress that do not yet produce symptoms, the system can flag patients who would benefit from lifestyle modification, medical therapy, or further diagnostic testing. Unlike conventional risk assessments, this AI approach can continuously learn from new cases, refining its accuracy over time and across diverse patient populations.
Clinical significance and patient impact
Experts say that detecting risk a decade in advance opens a window for proactive care. For patients, this means the potential to prevent a heart attack before it happens, reduce hospitalizations, and improve long-term heart health outcomes. NCH clinicians emphasize that the AI tool complements—not replaces—clinical judgment. It serves as an additional data point to guide personalized care plans, including nutrition counseling, exercise programs, statin therapy considerations, and more vigilant monitoring for those identified as high-risk.
From Naples to national engagement: AHA 2025
At the American Heart Association’s 2025 Scientific Sessions, NCH cardiologists will outline the collaboration’s roadmap and early results. Scheduled for November 8, the presentation will detail implementation milestones, data governance, patient privacy safeguards, and the collaborative framework with Caristo Diagnostics. The session will also discuss plans for expanding access to diverse patient groups, addressing potential disparities in preventive care, and integrating AI insights into routine clinic workflows.
Strategic implications for hospitals and healthcare systems
NCH’s initiative exemplifies how AI can augment cardiology practice without escalating clinical costs. By identifying high-risk patients sooner, hospitals can optimize resource allocation, prioritize preventive interventions, and potentially reduce the burden of emergency care tied to late-stage heart disease. This model could serve as a blueprint for other U.S. institutions seeking to balance advanced technology with compassionate, patient-centered care.
Ethics, safety, and patient trust
As with any AI-assisted medical tool, NCH is prioritizing patient safety, data privacy, and transparency. Key governance principles include explainability of AI-driven decisions, rigorous validation across demographics, and ongoing clinician oversight. NCH is also implementing clear pathways for patients to opt in or out of AI-enhanced assessments, ensuring informed consent and trust at every step of the care journey.
What’s next for NCH and Caristo Diagnostics
Looking ahead, NCH plans to extend the program to additional departments and imaging modalities, continually refining the AI’s predictive capabilities. The collaboration signals a broader trend toward preventive, precision cardiology in the U.S., powered by international partnerships that bring proven data science to frontline care. As AI-driven risk detection becomes more accessible, patients, clinicians, and health systems may experience earlier interventions and better cardiovascular outcomes.
About the collaboration
NCH, a leading Florida hospital, is partnering with Caristo Diagnostics of the United Kingdom to deploy AI that detects hidden heart attack risk years ahead of conventional signs. The initiative will be showcased at the American Heart Association 2025 Scientific Sessions.
