Adults with cardiovascular disease who use smartphone apps and wearable fitness trackers walk nearly 1,100 more steps and engage in about four extra minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day compared to those who do not use these technologies, according to a meta-analysis published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers reviewed 14 clinical trials involving more than 1,000 participants and found that digital interventions—including goal setting, reminders, motivational messages, and gamification—effectively encouraged greater physical activity among individuals with diagnosed heart disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
Physical activity is critical for preventing secondary cardiovascular events, yet many patients face barriers to traditional cardiac rehabilitation, such as time, distance, or cost. “Smartphones and wearables are already in people’s pockets and on their wrists,” said study lead author Ajith Vemuri, Ph.D., 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 analysis, which included studies published between January 2000 and February 2025, noted that the benefits occurred even with simple behavior-change methods like self-monitoring, feedback, and goal setting. However, the tools did not significantly improve peak oxygen consumption or walking distance, indicating that longer studies are needed to determine if these activity increases translate into sustained fitness improvements and better overall health outcomes.
“These devices are not just gadgets,” added senior author Ramin Zand, M.D., M.P.H., 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.”
The findings align with an April 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement on Harnessing Mobile Health Technology for Secondary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Older Adults, which highlighted that mobile health technology can encourage lifestyle behavior changes and medication adherence among older adults with existing heart disease.
Damon L. Swift, Ph.D., FAHA, immediate past-chair of the American Heart Association’s Lifestyle Physical Activity Committee, noted 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 said. “There is a health benefit from going from inactive to somewhat active, and there is reduced risk of death for even getting up to about 7,000 steps per day.”
The analysis had limitations, including a lack of long-term data on sustainability of healthy habits and a predominance of participants with coronary heart disease, which may limit generalizability to all cardiovascular conditions. Nonetheless, the researchers emphasize that digital tools offer a practical, scalable, and low-cost way to support heart disease patients in increasing daily activity, potentially reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving quality of life for millions.
