Men's Health

During the Web Summit, which took place in Lisbon from December 13th to 16th, Men's Health spoke with David Luu, cardiovascular surgeon and founder of Hearty

March 8, 2024
Men's Health

This is how you can live longer

Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the approach to longevity and health.

We all age. As the years pass, we grow gray hair, develop wrinkles and feel less agile than we once did. It's part of life, right? But what if there was a way to slow down the aging process? In an era where technology constantly redefines the limits of what is possible, the quest for longevity has become an exciting and challenging frontier.

During the Web Summit, which took place in Lisbon from December 13th to 16th, Men's Health spoke with David Luu, cardiovascular surgeon and founder of Hearty, an innovative company that is joining forces between longevity and artificial intelligence to create a future where human life knows no temporal barriers.

David Luu, whose vision stands out in the technology scene, shared his vision on the intersection between longevity and artificial intelligence. When addressing longevity, the expert highlights that the human desire to prolong life is not a recent phenomenon: “ human beings have always tried to live as long as possible”, he began by explaining, adding that current awareness about the search for immortality “it is fed by social media and accessibility to information”.

Hearty's founder highlights the technological advances that have contributed to increasing life expectancy. Diseases such as flu, plague and tuberculosis, which were fatal a few decades ago, “are now controllable or even eradicatable”, something that the expert says is possible thanks to “increasing awareness and access to vaccines, antibiotics and treatments”.

Artificial intelligence and prevention of cardiovascular diseases

David Luu states that artificial intelligence has a fundamental role in preventing cardiovascular diseases. “With companies working on gene editing to reduce cholesterol, the possibility of heart attacks becomes preventable. Early diagnosis and rapid data analysis through artificial intelligence allow for effective intervention in reducing cardiovascular risk”, says the specialist who believes that longevity is achieved through the prevention and correct diagnosis of fatal diseases.

In a reflection on accessibility to innovative treatments, Luu recognizes the disparity between developed and developing countries. However, he foresees a positive change as technology becomes more accessible over time. “Awareness and government intervention are essential elements to ensure that health innovations are available to everyone”, says the surgeon.

Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

The topic of ethics arises when discussing access to personal data in the context of artificial intelligence. David Luu highlights the importance of patients having control over their data and highlights that, although technology advances, “trust and human emotion will continue to be irreplaceable”. Access to healthcare “must be a government priority to ensure equity and justice in the healthcare system,” he says.

Hearty: A look at the future of cardiovascular prevention

"Hearty was born from the idea that technology can be an ally in promoting healthy longevity. We use advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyze biometric, genetic and lifestyle data, providing a comprehensive understanding of an individual's health," explained Luu .

One of Hearty's notable innovations is the creation of a personalized health monitoring system that uses wearable devices and sensors to collect real-time data. This approach allows for continuous adaptation to each person's specific requirements, offering preventative and personalized interventions.

In revealing Hearty's mission, David Luu highlights the platform focused on age-related cardiovascular diseases. “The ability to predict and potentially reverse the risk of heart attacks is an example of the positive impact that artificial intelligence can have in promoting healthy longevity,” says the expert.

Luu emphasized Hearty's commitment to ensuring the security and confidentiality of user data. The expert highlighted that transparency is fundamental, and users have full control over access and use of their health information.

However, the surgeon doesn't see Hearty just as a technology company. He sees his mission as part of a broader movement toward a paradigm shift in healthcare. "We are moving towards an era in which medicine will not just be reactive, but proactive. The goal is to prevent diseases before they even manifest themselves," he said.