Activity trackers and smartphone fitness apps are becoming useful tools for people recovering from heart disease, according to a new analysis that pooled results from more than a dozen clinical trials.
Study shows measurable step gains for cardiac patients
The review, conducted by investigators at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Maryland, examined data from 14 trials spanning 25 years and involving roughly 1,000 participants with conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, prior heart attacks, strokes, and, in one case, adolescents as young as 12.
Across the studies, individuals who wore activity trackers or used digital health apps walked an average of 1,100 more steps per day than those who did not. They also logged about four extra minutes of moderate‑to‑vigorous activity each day. The step increase appeared consistent regardless of the specific device or app employed.
“When we show these devices can effectively support routine care, we can start designing cost‑effective, personalized digital interventions that reach a much wider population,” said Ajith Vemuri, lead author and staff scientist at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
How digital tools fit into cardiac rehab
Traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs often face participation hurdles—patients cite time constraints, travel distance, and cost as major obstacles. Wearable devices and mobile apps can mitigate those barriers by embedding activity monitoring into everyday routines.
Many of the examined programs allowed users to set personalized step goals, receive real‑time feedback, and review progress through coaching features. Some apps also sent medication reminders and linked home‑based rehab activities to clinicians, enabling remote oversight of treatment adherence.
Senior author Ramin Zand, a professor of neurology and public health at Penn State College of Medicine, emphasized that “these devices are not just gadgets. When included in a treatment plan, they can help patients take small steps toward better cardiovascular health.”
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While the step count and brief activity gains are encouraging, the analysis noted that the tools did not significantly boost peak oxygen consumption or walking distance—metrics that more directly reflect aerobic fitness. He added that longer‑term studies are needed to determine whether the modest daily increases translate into lasting health improvements.
Most adults already own smartphones or wearables, making the technology readily accessible for follow‑up care. The investigators suggest that integrating these devices into standard cardiac treatment could expand outreach without demanding substantial new infrastructure.
They walked more each day.
The modest extra minutes of activity reported in the studies still meet a fraction of the guideline recommendation for vigorous exercise, but they represent a step forward for patients who might otherwise remain sedentary.
From a broader perspective, the shift toward digital health aligns with a growing trend in medicine to personalize care based on real‑world data. As insurers and health systems grapple with rising cardiovascular costs, tools that encourage incremental behavior change could become a cost‑containment lever, provided they demonstrate durable outcomes.
The study appears in the Journal of the American Heart Association, and its authors call for more robust trials to assess long‑term effects on fitness, rehospitalization rates, and mortality.
