Evaluation of a community-based SMS support program for cardiovascular patients from 2020 - 2024: The HeartHealth...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health Interventions
• Cardiovascular Disease Management
• Health Behavior Change

Background:

• The HeartHealth program is a six-month SMS-based support system for patients with recent cardiovascular events in Western Sydney, Australia.
• It focuses on cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle modifications, treatment adherence, and general heart health education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation, reach, effectiveness, and maintenance of the HeartHealth program.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for program adaptation and scalability.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study assessed program data, participant surveys, and staff focus groups.
• Analysis included 23,095 invited patients (April 2020-April 2024) and content analysis of qualitative feedback.
• Program reach, SMS delivery success, and participant-reported outcomes were measured.

Main Results:

• 8,804 patients enrolled (38.1%) and 7,964 (90.5%) completed the program.
• SMS messages achieved 99.41% successful delivery.
• Significant improvements were reported in diet (60.5%), physical activity (53.6%), and medication adherence (56.1%). Key barriers included limited personalization and scheduling flexibility.

Conclusions:

• The HeartHealth program demonstrated broad reach and effectiveness in improving patient-reported health behaviors at low cost.
• The study highlights successful implementation and scalability, offering valuable insights for future digital health initiatives in cardiovascular care.
• Key learnings emphasize the need for enhanced personalization and clinical team engagement.