In recognition of World Heart Day on September 29, Caristo Diagnostics, a global leader in cardiovascular disease diagnostics and risk prediction, has launched a UK-wide campaign to encourage annual heart-health checks. Caristo will pay £500 to the first 100 individuals who undergo a physician-approved cardiac CT scan and have it analysed by Caristo’s CaRi-Heart® technology between September 29 and October 15, 2024.
Innovative Heart Health Technology
The CaRi-Heart® technology is designed to predict cardiac events up to 10 years in advance by quantifying previously invisible coronary artery inflammation. This innovative approach applies advanced AI algorithms to routine coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) heart scans, allowing for the visualisation and quantification of coronary inflammation, a key driver of coronary artery disease and fatal heart attacks.
A recent study published on May 29 in the medical journal, The Lancet, examined the CaRi-Heart analysis of 40,000 CCTA heart scans. The findings confirmed that this cutting-edge technology can successfully detect hidden coronary inflammation and ascertain an individual’s long-term risk of experiencing a fatal cardiac event. The unique capability of CaRi-Heart to identify coronary inflammation is particularly significant for the considerable number of patients who present with chest pain yet receive a negative CCTA result, leaving them at high risk for cardiovascular events.
Campaign Rules and Participation
To qualify for the £500 cash rebate, patients must undergo a cardiac CT (CCTA) scan and have the CaRi-Heart analysis performed, which will be billed as usual by their physician. The £500 rebates will be provided directly to patients after both services have been completed successfully. Participants are encouraged to consult their physician first to understand if a CaRi-Heart analysis is suitable for their health needs.
“At Caristo, prevention of coronary artery disease is at the core of our mission, and we take pride in making our revolutionary CaRi-Heart technology accessible to patients,” stated Frank Cheng, CEO of Caristo. “Our hope is that this campaign will inspire more individuals to prioritise annual heart screenings and take proactive steps toward managing their health and wellbeing effectively.”
Engaging the Community in Heart Health Awareness
In addition to the financial incentives, Caristo aims to increase awareness around heart health and the importance of early detection. The campaign seeks to educate the public on the risk factors associated with coronary artery disease and the crucial role that regular screenings can play in improving long-term health outcomes.
Help Decide British Heart Foundation Award Winner
Amid continuing focus on innovative treatments for heart disease, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is inviting the public to vote for the winner of the 2024 BHF Research Project of the Year. This award recognises researchers and projects that have significantly contributed to advancing the BHF’s mission to fund life-saving research. One of the three finalists for the award is Charalambos Antoniades, MD, the British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology Medicine at the University of Oxford. His groundbreaking research directly led to the development of CaRi-Heart® technology.
As part of this initiative, Caristo Diagnostics is determined to elevate public consciousness regarding heart health. With the combination of innovative technology, financial incentives, and community engagement, Caristo hopes to change the narrative around cardiovascular disease prevention.