Mobile health technologies like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and mobile applications show promising potential for improving cardiovascular health behaviors, according to a recent scientific statement published in Circulation. Nearly 130 million U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, with over 70% of adults experiencing overweight or obesity. The statement focuses on how technology-enabled interventions could support heart-healthy behaviors across different population segments.
Researchers identified several key areas where mobile health technologies might positively impact cardiovascular health, including physical activity tracking, dietary intake monitoring, tobacco cessation support, and sleep management. However, the effectiveness of these technologies varies significantly across socioeconomic groups. Critical barriers to technology adoption include financial constraints, low digital literacy, unreliable internet access, privacy concerns, and cultural relevance. People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural communities often face the most significant challenges in accessing and effectively using digital health technologies.
The scientific statement emphasizes the need for tailored technological interventions that consider diverse population needs. Personalized messaging, culturally relevant content, and interventions that address specific community challenges could improve engagement and health outcomes. Mariell Jessup, chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association, highlighted the importance of developing scalable, effective, and affordable health technologies that can support populations most at risk for cardiovascular disease.
The research underscores the potential of digital health technologies to support cardiovascular health while simultaneously calling for more inclusive, equitable approaches to technological innovation in healthcare. The statement published in Circulation provides comprehensive analysis of how mobile health tools could transform cardiovascular care if accessibility barriers are addressed. The full scientific statement is available at https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001183.
