Digital health technology in the prevention of heart failure and coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease and heart failure are leading causes of morbidly and mortality, resulting in a substantial economic burden globally. Guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association place adherence to medication and healthy lifestyle behaviors at the core of cardiovascular disease primary and secondary prevention strategies. The growing collective burden of cardiovascular disease is likely to eventually outgrow the available resources allocated for traditional care provision, such as nurse-led outreach services. Novel strategies are required to address this growing need. Worldwide, more than 6.5 billion people own smartphones and opportunities to deliver healthcare digitally for patients with cardiac conditions are expanding exponentially. Multiple randomized controlled trials have now demonstrated that various modes of noninvasive digital health technology, including teleconsultations, smartphone applications (apps), wearables, remote monitoring, and predictive analytics can influence patient behaviors in both the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and prevention and management of heart failure. The purpose of this narrative review is to critically analyze pivotal trials and discuss examples of successfully deployed mobile digital technology in the prevention of heart failure hospitalizations, and in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.