Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Future Innovations in Novel Detection of Heart Failure FIND-HF

This study, called FIND-HF, is looking for better ways to detect heart failure. Heart failure is becoming more common, and spotting it early can make a big difference to people's health and reduce hospital visits. Often, people don't know they have heart failure until it's quite advanced. Researchers will use existing health records from GP surgeries and hospitals, along with special computer programmes (called Artificial Intelligence), to try and predict who might develop heart failure before they show clear symptoms. By identifying people at risk earlier, doctors might be able to offer preventative care or treatments that could slow down the condition or stop it from getting worse. This is an observational study, so no one taking part will receive new medicines or treatments as part of the research.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University of Leeds

Enrolment target

14,000

Start

01 Apr 2023

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2025

Heart Failure

What is this study about?

Heart failure is a condition where your heart isn't pumping blood around your body as well as it should. It's a common condition in the UK, and it can lead to various health problems, sometimes meaning people need to go into hospital. There are new medications available that can help manage heart failure and improve people's lives, but often, the condition isn't picked up until someone is already quite unwell. This study is all about trying to find new and earlier ways to identify people who might be at risk of developing heart failure.

The researchers want to use existing information from your GP and hospital records in a clever way. They're going to use special computer programs, often called Artificial Intelligence (AI), to look for patterns in health data. Think of it like a very smart detective looking at lots of clues (your health information) to predict if someone might develop heart failure in the future. The aim is to spot these patterns using information that doctors already have, without needing extra tests.

The main goal is to develop a method that could help doctors identify people in the community who are at risk of heart failure, and even predict when it might happen. If we can find people at risk earlier, doctors can offer preventative advice or treatments. This could mean fewer hospital stays and better health outcomes for many people. It's important to know that this is an 'observational' study, which means researchers will just be looking at existing data; no one will be given new treatments or asked to change their current care as part of this research.

Key takeaways

Aims to predict heart failure earlier using computer programs.
Uses existing, anonymous health records – no direct patient involvement.
Open to people aged 16 and over who haven't had heart failure before.
No new medicines, tests, or clinic visits required from participants.
Could help improve early detection and prevention of heart failure in the future.
It's an 'observational' study, meaning no medical interventions are given.

Who may be eligible?

To be included in this study, people need to be 16 years old or older. They also can't have a history of heart failure already. The study needs to be able to look at their health information for at least one year to understand how their health changes over time, so they'll need to have a year's worth of health records available.

There aren't any specific reasons given for someone not to be included in this study, other than the points mentioned above. It's open to everyone, no matter their gender, who meets the age and health criteria.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 16 years old or over?
Have you *never* been diagnosed with heart failure?
Do you have at least one year of health records available (from a GP or hospital)?
Are you happy for anonymous health data to be reviewed for research purposes?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study is very different from other clinical trials. As this is an 'observational' study, you won't be asked to do anything directly. There are no visits to clinics, no extra assessments, no new medications to take, and no specific follow-up appointments required from you. The researchers will be looking at existing anonymous health records that have already been collected by your GP and hospitals. Your personal information will be protected, and the researchers will only look at general patterns in the data, not individual patient details.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this is an observational study looking at existing, anonymous data, there are no direct physical risks to you as a participant. Your personal information will be kept private and secure. The potential benefit of this study is that the findings could lead to better ways of detecting heart failure early in the future, which could improve care for many people in the UK. Because you are not directly involved in any intervention, there is no direct right to withdraw from the study in the traditional sense, as researchers are using existing, anonymised data.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Leeds
Verified postcode
Leeds, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is heart failure?

Heart failure means your heart isn't pumping blood around your body as well as it should. It can make you feel tired or breathless.

Will I take any new medicines in this study?

No, this is an observational study. You won't be given any new medicines or treatments as part of this research.

Will my GP know I'm part of this study?

The study uses anonymous health information, so your GP won't be directly involved or notified of your 'participation' because your individual data isn't being reviewed individually.

How will my privacy be protected?

Researchers will use health information that has been made anonymous, meaning your name or details won't be linked to the data they analyse.

How long will the study last?

The overall study will review data patterns over a period that allows for developing and testing their computer models. You as an individual are not actively involved in a time-bound participation.