Smartphone Apps and Wearables Boost Physical Activity in Heart Disease Patients, Study Finds

A new analysis of previous research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that smartphone apps, fitness trackers, and wearable devices can help people with heart disease increase their physical activity. The review, which examined 14 clinical trials involving more than 1,000 adults, found that those using digital technologies walked nearly 1,100 more steps and engaged in about four extra minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day compared to those who did not use such tools.

Physical activity is crucial for preventing additional cardiovascular events among people with cardiovascular disease. However, as noted by the study’s lead author, Ajith Vemuri, Ph.D., a staff scientist in neurology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, many patients cannot participate in traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs due to time, distance, or financial barriers. “Smartphones and wearables are already in people’s pockets and on their wrists. When we show that these devices can effectively support routine care, we can start designing cost-effective, personalized digital interventions that reach a much wider population,” Vemuri said.

The digital tools used in the studies varied but commonly included setting personalized daily step goals, generating reminders or motivational messages, providing feedback on progress, and linking home-based rehabilitation programs to health care professionals. Some applications also incorporated gamification, coaching, and goal review. According to the study’s senior author, Ramin Zand, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of neurology and public health at Penn State College of Medicine, “These devices are not just gadgets. When included in a treatment plan, they can support routine care and help patients take small yet important steps toward better cardiovascular health.”

The meta-analysis revealed that while digital tools boosted daily step counts and moderate-to-vigorous activity, they did not significantly improve peak oxygen consumption or walking distance. This suggests that longer-term studies are needed to determine whether these changes translate into lasting fitness improvements and better health outcomes. “We noticed that these benefits occurred even though the tools varied and used simple behavior-change methods, such as self-monitoring, feedback and goal setting,” Zand added.

An April 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement, Harnessing Mobile Health Technology for Secondary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Older Adults, noted that mobile health technology can encourage lifestyle behavior changes and medication adherence among adults with existing heart disease.

Damon L. Swift, Ph.D., FAHA, immediate past-chair of the American Heart Association’s Lifestyle Physical Activity Committee, commented on the findings: “Research has shown that fewer than one-third of people with cardiovascular disease are physically active. Combining mobile and wearable technologies with standard preventive measures provides a unique opportunity to potentially further reduce the risk of advanced cardiovascular disease or a second or third CVD event.” He emphasized that even small increases in activity, such as reaching about 7,000 steps per day, are associated with reduced risk of death.

The analysis included 1,057 participants across 14 trials, with most participants having diagnosed cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, or a history of heart attack or stroke. Limitations include the lack of data on long-term sustainability of healthy habits and the predominance of coronary heart disease in the study populations, which may limit generalizability to other cardiovascular conditions.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

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