Revolutionary AI technology may offer a novel method for managing high blood pressure, or hypertension.

Boston University scientists and physicians have collaborated to create a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) program designed to improve the management of hypertension. The new model, detailed in a study published in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, uses patient-specific characteristics such as demographics, vital signs, past medical history, and clinical test records to generate custom hypertension prescriptions.

Ioannis Paschalidis, one of the researchers involved in the project, explains that the new machine-learning algorithm demonstrates the power of AI in healthcare. It goes beyond predicting outcomes, as it suggests the most appropriate medication for each patient. The AI program provides a list of suggested medications with an associated probability of success.

Wendy Nilsen, an NSF program director, praises the work, stating that it shows the potential of AI research to generate effective real-world solutions in healthcare. She believes that this innovation could lead to improved outcomes for patients with hypertension, reducing the risk of stroke and chronic heart failure.

Each hypertension medication has pros and cons, making it a challenge for physicians to prescribe the most effective one. The new model's approach could lead to more personalized and effective hypertension treatment recommendations. It aims to highlight the treatment that best controls systolic blood pressure for each patient based on its effectiveness in a group of similar patients.

The AI program is intended to help manage hypertension, a condition that increases the risk of stroke and chronic heart failure. If hypertension is caught early, it can be relatively easy to prevent or moderate through diet, exercise, and reduced alcohol consumption. However, the AI program is not a replacement for a physician's judgment but rather assists in the decision-making process for choosing the most effective hypertension medication.

The AI program is designed to provide real-time hypertension treatment recommendations based on patient-specific characteristics. Its transparency could help improve physicians' trust in artificial intelligence-generated results. The model's success in controlling systolic blood pressure may lead to a more effective reduction of hypertension than the current standard of care.

The study describing the AI program was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The researchers aim to continue refining the model to improve its accuracy and effectiveness in managing hypertension. The potential of this AI program to reduce the challenge of selecting among multiple medications with similar efficacy is promising for the future of personalized medicine.