A raft of smartphone apps will now be offered by the NHS to help patients recovering from life-threatening heart problems.
Figures show that those who take part in rehab programmes after a cardiac event – such as a heart attack or heart failure – can slash their risk of further complications and prevent hospital readmissions. However, the use of traditional face-to-face schemes remains low.
NHS data show that only 13 per cent of people with heart failure participated in cardiac rehab schemes in England, which combine exercise, education and support to lower risk.
Uptake is particularly low among women, young people, ethnic minorities and those in deprived areas.
But seven new technologies have now been approved by the NHS spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Experts hope the apps will enable access across the country and make it easier for patients to take part in a programme. The platforms will be used for three years to gather data on their effectiveness.
They are: Activate Your Heart, D REACH-HF, Digital Heart Manual, Gro Health HeartBuddy, KiActiv, myHeart, and the Pumping Marvellous Cardiac Rehab Platform.
They offer exercise regimes, education about cardiovascular disease and its treatment, dietary advice, medication management and psychosocial support.
File image: A raft of smartphone apps will now be offered by the NHS to help patients recovering from life-threatening heart problems
‘These digital platforms offer real potential to transform how cardiac rehabilitation is offered to people to meet their individual circumstances,’ said Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, HealthTech programme director at NICE.
‘We know that traditional programmes aren’t reaching everyone who could benefit.
‘The early data is promising and suggests more people should now be given the opportunity to use these new technologies.’
However, the NICE approval committee warns the new tech may not be appropriate for older patients. Guidance also states a healthcare professional must conduct a full clinical assessment before they are offered to ensure they are appropriate.
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Smartphone apps offered on the NHS to help patients recovering from heart problems