Telehealth for Integrated Cardiovascular and Diabetes Management: A Scoping Review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus represent major global health challenges, frequently co-occurring and mutually exacerbating. Telehealth interventions offer a promising approach for their management, with potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance access to care, and increase cost-effectiveness. This review synthesized existing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth interventions for the management of diabetes, focusing on CVD risk, and to identify critical research gaps. A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) to identify studies meeting predefined eligibility criteria, considering digital tools for remote monitoring, consultation, education, and medication management. After the screening of 3041 articles, six studies met the inclusion criteria. Telehealth interventions utilized a range of digital health tools, including mobile applications, artificial intelligence-powered clinical decision aids, electronic consultations, and integrated remote monitoring platforms. Although direct assessment of composite cardiovascular risk was largely absent, the included studies reported several clinical parameters associated with cardiovascular health, namely, blood pressure, lipid profile, and glycated hemoglobin. Telehealth interventions implemented for individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus demonstrated promising potential in improving glycemic control and supporting self-management. However, their effectiveness in managing broader cardiovascular risk factors remains less clear due to inconsistent reporting and heterogeneous intervention designs.