AI, Heart Health & the Future of Early Detection with Dr James Thompson

What if cardiovascular disease could be identified before traditional warning signs appear?

In this episode of the Wise Divine Women Podcast, Dana Irvine speaks with Dr. James Thompson, cardiovascular radiologist and specialist in advanced cardiac imaging, about the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in heart health, cardiovascular prevention, and early detection.

Heart disease remains a major health concern for women, yet during perimenopause and menopause, cardiovascular health can sometimes be overshadowed by conversations about hormones, weight, breast health, sleep, and other symptoms.

Dr. Thompson explains why cardiovascular disease often begins much earlier than people realize and how newer imaging technologies, including coronary CT angiography (CTA) combined with artificial intelligence, are helping physicians identify and characterize plaque with greater precision.

In This Episode

• How AI is transforming cardiovascular imaging
• Why cardiovascular disease can develop silently
• Why prevention needs to begin earlier in life
• The difference between a calcium score and coronary CTA
• Why a calcium score of zero does not completely rule out disease
• Calcified versus non-calcified plaque
• How plaque may begin forming in the 20s, 30s, and 40s
• How AI can help quantify plaque and inflammation
• Why women may experience cardiovascular symptoms differently
• The connection between inflammation, metabolism, and heart health

Calcium Score vs. Coronary CTA

One of the most important distinctions in this conversation is the difference between a coronary artery calcium score and coronary CTA.

A calcium score identifies calcified plaque. Dr. Thompson explains that coronary CTA provides a more detailed view of the coronary arteries and can identify both calcified and earlier non-calcified plaque.

As he shares:

“A calcium score of zero does not fully mean that you do not have coronary artery disease.”

Understanding this difference may become increasingly important as cardiovascular medicine moves toward earlier identification and prevention.

Women & Cardiovascular Health

Women do not always experience the symptoms traditionally associated with heart disease. This makes awareness, personal risk factors, and communication with healthcare providers especially important.

Dr. Thompson encourages listeners to understand that heart disease is not simply a condition of older age. Earlier awareness may provide more opportunity to address modifiable risk factors before cardiovascular disease progresses.

Learn More

Learn more about Dr. James Thompson’s work and advancements in preventative cardiovascular imaging at:

https://preventi.ai/

For support with hormones, metabolism, breast health, digestion, cardiovascular wellness, and whole-body health, visit DanaIrvine.com and book a Health Clarity Call.

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