Technology-Based Intervention to Promote Heart Health After Cardiac Rehab (Mobile4Heart)

Ongoing maintenance of physical activity after cardiac rehab is an important part of preventing secondary cardiac events in patients with ischemic heart disease. Our central hypothesis is that monitoring and promotion of health-related behaviors by increasing patient-provider communication through a mobile device after discharge from cardiac rehab increased adherence to a heart healthy prescription over time. Participants will be randomly assigned to use a mobile app or serve as the control group. All participants will have an activity tracker to track their activity for two months.

Inclusion criteria

• At least 18 years of age
• History of cardiovascular disease that qualified patient for cardiac rehab (i.e. ischemic heart disease, history of unstable angina, systolic heart failure with ejection fraction at 35% or less, and Class II to IV symptoms, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, valve replacement)
• Own a smartphone or tablet

Exclusion criteria

• Cognitive impairment
• Lack of English proficiency/literacy
• Clinical conditions including: unstable arrhythmias, aortic stenosis, thrombophlebitis, dissecting aneurysm, symptomatic anemia, active infection, uncontrolled hypertension (resting diastolic > 100 mmHg, systolic > 180 mmHg), decompensated heart failure NYHA class 3-4, current unstable angina, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block, or uncontrolled high grade exercise-induced ventricular ectopy