Preventing heart attacks with artificial intelligence

Around 1.8 million people in the EU die every year as a result of a heart attack. A change in diet and more physical activity are needed to prevent re-infarctions. However, clinical studies show that many sufferers find it difficult to change their lifestyle in the long term and that adherence to treatment decreases with increasing time. The Europe-wide "TIMELY study", which has now been launched, aims to change this by using artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalised advice on how to lead a healthier life and thus improve the care of heart attack patients after their rehabilitation. "With our TIMELY platform, we want to support patients in maintaining a healthy lifestyle independently, even after rehabilitation and hospitalisation," explains Dr Boris Schmitz, one of the TIMELY study leaders. He works at the DRV Klinik Königsfeld in Ennepetal, where TIMELY is being trialled with the Chair of Rehabilitation Sciences (Head: Prof. Dr Frank Mooren) at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H).

Using a blood pressure monitor, activity tracker and ECG patch to prevent a new heart attack

The integrative and multifunctional TIMELY platform is being developed in an EU-funded project by a total of 13 partners, including BIOTRONIK. Data analysis and risk assessment are based on the guidelines for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Equipped with a blood pressure monitor, a so-called activity tracker, and an ECG patch, CHD patients transmit their vital parameters. Doctors, therapists and case managers can access these values and view their patients' individual risk profile via a digital dashboard in the TIMELY platform developed by the Berlin-based company Semdatex. This is automatically analysed and interpreted. The therapy can then be adjusted if necessary.

The TIMELY platform offers numerous other functions for patients: With the help of artificial intelligence, they receive personalised recommendations for a healthy lifestyle. A chatbot developed by the University of Amsterdam helps with this, accompanying patients and supporting them in implementing the advice: The personalised messages, which are adapted to the situation, are intended to have a motivating effect and increase physical activity. The platform also offers the option of creating weekly training plans and documenting the achievement of goals. "I expect the study results to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the TIMELY platform and provide further insights into the impact of telemedicine systems in the area of behavioural change," says Dr Jos Bosch, Professor of Psychology at the University of Amsterdam and coordinator of the TIMELY project.

Clinical study involves 360 patients in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands

The TIMELY study will include 360 adult patients at a total of three study centres in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands who have undergone cardiac rehabilitation. The study will run until mid-2024 - the primary endpoint is a biomarker score (Coropredict), which reflects the risk of mortality over the next 10 years, and the 6-minute walk test to assess physical performance. Changes in diet and exercise behaviour are also analysed.

"The telemedical secondary prevention of patients with heart disease has already proven itself and is well established in outpatient and inpatient settings," comments Roberto Belke, Managing Director of BIOTRONIK Germany. "I am convinced that it is now time to rethink the field of rehabilitation as well. With the TIMELY platform, we are offering patients who have suffered a heart attack low-threshold and continuous support and therefore greater safety and quality of life."

About TIMELY:
TIMELY is funded under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant agreement ID: 101017424).
To the project page