Fine tuned CatBoost machine learning approach for early detection of cardiovascular disease through predictive modeling

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for early-stage diagnosis to improve clinical outcomes. Machine learning (ML) approaches have demonstrated substantial potential in predictive modeling for CVD risk assessment. In this study, we propose an advanced predictive model based on the CatBoost algorithm to classify various stages of CVD using hospital records as the primary data source. The dataset, sourced from a publicly available repository, comprises 12 key predictor variables. The proposed methodology incorporates feature selection, rigorous validation processes, and data augmentation to enhance predictive performance and address the challenges associated with high-dimensional medical data. Among several ML algorithms evaluated, the fine-tuned CatBoost model achieved the highest performance, automating feature selection and facilitating the detection of early-stage heart disease. The model attained an impressive F1-score of 99% and an overall accuracy of 99.02%, outperforming existing ML-based approaches. These findings underscore the potential of the CatBoost algorithm for rapid and accurate CVD diagnosis, thereby supporting clinical decision-making. Future work will focus on external validation and testing on independent datasets to further assess the model's generalizability and clinical applicability.