Imagine a world where heart disease is no longer a leading cause of death, thanks to cutting-edge technology and personalized care. Sounds like science fiction? Think again. Three visionary health tech companies are turning this dream into reality, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in cardiovascular care. But here's where it gets even more exciting: they're doing it by combining artificial intelligence (AI) with the trusted expertise of the American Heart Association (AHA).
As digital health gains traction, studies reveal a fascinating trend: people are increasingly receptive to AI-powered health interventions, but only when they're backed by clinical expertise and evidence-based guidelines. Recognizing this opportunity, the AHA, a trailblazer in transforming global health, launched its groundbreaking CarePlan Challenge this year. The goal? To ignite innovation and expand access to guideline-based cardiovascular care for everyone.
The AHA's Center for Health Technology & Innovation issued a bold call to action, inviting developers, health tech pioneers, and AI specialists to revolutionize preventive care, disease management, and patient engagement. The challenge? Create digital prototypes that seamlessly integrate the AHA's science-based CarePlans – personalized care pathways for conditions like heart failure, hypertension, and cardiac rehab – with powerful tools like Life's Essential 8™ (a set of 8 heart-healthy habits) and the PREVENT™ Risk Calculator (a clinician's tool for predicting heart disease risk over decades).
Participants from across the globe were granted access to the AHA's APIs, enabling them to build and submit prototypes that demonstrate the integration of AHA's scientific expertise into digital health solutions. And this is the part most people miss: these solutions aren't just about technology; they're about empowering both patients and clinicians with actionable insights and personalized care plans.
Submissions were evaluated based on four key criteria:
- Innovation & Creativity: How unique and creatively did the solution utilize AHA content and APIs?
- Technical Implementation: Was the code well-written, and were the APIs effectively utilized?
- User Experience & Design: Was the interface intuitive, accessible, and engaging?
- Clinical Impact & Relevance: Did the solution demonstrate potential to improve patient outcomes and align with AHA guidelines?
The results? Three standout solutions that are poised to reshape cardiovascular care:
- ConneQT: A mobile app that leverages CarePlans and Life's Essential 8 to connect daily tasks, biometric data, and personalized goals, fostering heart-healthy habits and providing clinicians with a comprehensive view of patient health.
- Porter Health: A web-based platform that delivers instant PREVENT and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) risk assessments, coupled with an AI-assisted, expert-vetted CarePlan tailored to individual patient demographics.
- OneVillage: A women-centric virtual cardio-primary care platform that transforms CarePlans and PREVENT-guided risk into an 80-day personalized pathway, combining physician visits, cardiac rehab, and supportive services like nutrition and stress management.
These innovations raise a thought-provoking question: Can technology truly bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and real-world patient care? The AHA's CarePlan Challenge suggests that it can. By harnessing the power of AI and clinical expertise, these solutions have the potential to make evidence-based care more personal, accessible, and impactful. But what do you think? Is this the future of cardiovascular care, or are there potential pitfalls we should consider? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The challenge champions will present their prototypes at the AHA's Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans, where they'll receive feedback from a distinguished panel of judges, including:
- Azizi Seixas, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami
- Tatyana Kanzeveli, founder and CEO of Open Health Network
- Seth Martin, M.D., M.H.S., FAHA, FACC, FASPC, professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital and co-founder of Corrie Health
- Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S., professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
As we stand on the brink of a new era in cardiovascular care, one thing is clear: the future is bright, and it's being shaped by innovators who dare to push boundaries. Will you be part of the conversation?
