Rethinking Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention in the Digital Era: Patient Empowerment, Adherence and Optimisation of Guideline-based Care

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Despite effective treatments, poor adherence limits their long-term benefits. Digital health solutions can enhance clinicians’ ability to optimise guideline-based therapies, improving patient outcomes. Digital tools for remote consultations, monitoring, cardiac device interrogation and clinical decision support systems are now widely available. Digital health monitoring improves care quality, providing value to patients, healthcare professionals, hospitals and governments. This transformation is fostering a future where ‘health’ takes precedence over ‘reactive care’, driven by empowered patients and advanced technologies. Success in this transformation requires not only technology, but also new strategic operational models, optimised workflows and workforce redesign. Health systems that form partnerships with other stakeholders, such as peers, payers, start-ups, life sciences organisations, industries, will be better positioned to improve patient experiences and outcomes. This review examines digital solutions that optimise medical therapy prescriptions, promote patient engagement and address therapeutic inertia in AF, heart failure and coronary artery disease.