SHERIDAN, WYOMING – August 27, 2025 – Royal Philips has released its Future Health Index 2025: Cardiology Snapshot, underscoring both the promise and the pitfalls of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fight against cardiovascular disease. The survey reveals that while healthcare providers see AI as a way to reclaim valuable time and improve patient outcomes, a trust gap remains among patients, raising critical adoption challenges for hospitals and health systems.
Mounting Delays Add Pressure on Cardiology Services
Cardiovascular disease affects more than 640 million people worldwide, and cardiology services are struggling to keep pace with demand. According to the new data, nine in ten cardiac patients globally experience delays in seeing a specialist, with an average wait of nearly 12 weeks. One in three reported worsening conditions during this period, often requiring hospitalization.
For clinicians, inefficiencies compound the challenge. Nearly 80% of cardiac care professionals said they lose clinical time because of incomplete or inaccessible patient data, with almost half reporting they spend over 45 minutes per shift navigating data silos instead of treating patients.
AI Seen as a Tool to Extend Clinical Capacity
Despite systemic inefficiencies, most providers remain hopeful about AI’s role in cardiology. More than 80% of professionals surveyed believe AI could automate repetitive administrative tasks, expand clinical capacity, and enable earlier diagnoses. Additionally, 79% see AI as a means to reduce the long-term burden of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Sanjay Gandhi, Chief Medical Officer of Philips Enterprise Informatics, emphasized this forward-looking vision: “I believe that the future of healthcare depends on AI-enabled solutions that empower healthcare professionals and patients in ways that are secure, transparent, equitable, and responsible.”
The Trust Gap Between Patients and AI
While providers are optimistic, only 56% of cardiac patients express confidence that AI can improve healthcare. Concerns include the fear that AI-driven care may feel less personal. Patients indicated they would feel more comfortable if doctors and nurses explained how AI is being used and why it benefits their treatment.
Clinicians themselves are also calling for stronger frameworks: one in three identified the need for clearer guidelines on legal liability, transparency, and oversight of AI systems. Without these measures, adoption risks stalling despite strong provider support.
Industry Trends: Transparency and Governance as Adoption Drivers
The findings align with broader healthcare trends. AI adoption in radiology and oncology has surged in recent years, but regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s AI Act and FDA’s guidance on AI/ML in medical devices highlight the importance of governance and patient safety. In cardiology, adoption will likely hinge not only on clinical performance but also on institutions’ ability to address ethical, legal, and communication challenges.
Hospitals seeking to deploy AI tools in cardiac care can focus on:
- Streamlining data access across fragmented systems.
- Automating repetitive documentation tasks.
- Using predictive analytics to support earlier intervention.
- Building patient trust through education and transparent communication.
- Ensuring governance with clear liability and oversight mechanisms.
Strategic Implications for Hospitals and Health Systems
For hospital administrators, the survey highlights a dual challenge: managing soaring demand while preserving the patient-clinician connection. Institutions that successfully integrate AI could unlock significant efficiency gains, improve workforce satisfaction, and enhance patient outcomes. Yet those who fail to address trust and governance issues risk slower adoption and uneven impact.
The Future Health Index 2025: Cardiology Snapshot positions AI not as a replacement for human expertise but as an enabler—helping cardiology teams reclaim time for what matters most: patient care.
Learn more and access the full report at Philips Future Health Index 2025.