A new meta-analysis published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that smartphone apps, fitness trackers, and wearable devices can significantly increase physical activity among people with cardiovascular disease. The analysis, which reviewed 14 clinical trials involving more than 1,000 adults, found that individuals 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 not using such tools.
Physical activity is crucial for preventing subsequent cardiovascular events, yet many patients face barriers to traditional cardiac rehabilitation, such as time, distance, or financial constraints. “Smartphones and wearables are already in people’s pockets and on their wrists,” said Ajith Vemuri, Ph.D., the study’s lead author and a staff scientist in neurology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “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.”
The devices included in the studies employed simple behavior-change strategies such as setting personalized step goals, sending reminders or motivational messages, providing feedback on progress, and linking home-based rehabilitation programs to healthcare professionals. Some apps incorporated gamification, coaching, and goal review features. “These devices are not just gadgets,” added Ramin Zand, M.D., M.P.H., the study’s senior author and a professor of neurology and public health at Penn State College of Medicine. “When included in a treatment plan, they can support routine care and help patients take small yet important steps toward better cardiovascular health.”
However, the analysis did not find significant improvements in peak oxygen consumption or walking distance. “This means that while digital programs can motivate patients to be more active, longer studies are needed to see if these changes lead to lasting improvement in fitness and overall health outcomes,” Zand said. The American Heart Association’s April 2021 scientific statement on 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 older adults with heart disease.
Damon L. Swift, Ph.D., FAHA, immediate past-chair of the American Heart Association’s Lifestyle Physical Activity Committee, emphasized the potential impact: “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 added that even modest increases in activity, such as reaching about 7,000 steps per day, are associated with reduced mortality risk.
The analysis included participants from 14 trials published between January 2000 and February 2025, identified through PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science. Most participants had coronary heart disease, heart failure, or a history of heart attack or stroke. Limitations include a lack of data on long-term sustainability of healthy habits and the fact that results may not apply to all cardiovascular conditions. The researchers call for further long-term studies to confirm whether these digital interventions can produce sustained improvements in cardiovascular health.
