Apps and Trackers Boost Exercise for People with Heart Disease
Researchers found 14 trials with 1,057 participants showed digital tools added nearly 1,100 steps a day and four extra minutes of activity.
- On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that heart patients using smartphone apps or wearables walked nearly 1,100 more daily steps and engaged in about 4 more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
- Many patients with cardiovascular disease cannot access traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs due to time, distance, or financial barriers, said lead author Ajith Vemuri of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
- These tools utilized self-monitoring, feedback, and gamification to encourage lifestyle changes. "These devices are not just gadgets," said study senior author Ramin Zand of Penn State College of Medicine, noting their role in supporting routine care.
- The American Heart Association welcomed the findings, as Damon Swift noted that moving from inactive to somewhat active offers health benefits, with reduced risk of death for those reaching about 7,000 steps daily.
- Although the tools increase activity, Zand cautioned they "did not significantly improve peak oxygen consumption or walking distance," indicating that further studies are needed to confirm lasting improvements in overall health outcomes.
41 Articles
41 Articles
Smartphone apps and wearables help heart disease patients stay active
Smartphone apps, fitness trackers and wearable devices help people with heart disease get more physical activity in their daily lives, according to an analysis of previous research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
Heart patients using fitness trackers walk more steps daily, research reveals
New Delhi: A research analysis published by the American Heart Association found that fitness trackers and wearable devices may help people with heart conditions become more physically active. The findings suggest that digital tools can encourage users to add more movement to their daily routines when combined with standard care. People using smartphone apps or wearable technologies walked nearly 1,100 extra steps per day and spent around four a…
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