The emerging role of digital health technology in cardiovascular care

摘要: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. 1 Although genetic and metabolic risk factors play a key role in CVD progression, there are modifiable behavioural risk factors that require patient compliance and motivation to improve CVD outcomes. 1 Digital health intervention (DHI; ie, the use of information technology, electronic health records and communication to help achieve health goals) is an emerging tool in medicine used to manage patients with medical conditions including CVD, conduct research, and monitor public health (Fig. 1). 1, 2 Modalities, including Smartwatch monitoring systems, mobile applications, and text messaging or telehealth programs, have been used to improve patient adherence to medical therapies, other secondary prevention strategies, and follow-up, as well as to facilitate community connectedness. 1, 3, 4 Each of these pillars of patient-centred care contributes to improved CVD health outcomes. 1 However, DHIs might also accentuate issues relating to equal access to health care services and disparities in socioeconomic status. In this article, we focus on the utility of DHIs in CVD care and research and outline their effect on CVD health outcomes (Fig. 2).