Hybrid telehealth and clinic cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack

Comparing a Novel Telehealth-enabled Hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation Program to Clinic-based Cardiac Rehabilitation for Improving Patient Engagement and Functional Outcomes after ACS

NIH-funded research Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11193919

This project compares a telehealth‑enhanced hybrid cardiac rehab program with standard clinic-based rehab to help people recovering from an acute coronary syndrome stay engaged and improve strength and daily function.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11193919 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

As a patient, you would be offered either the usual in‑clinic cardiac rehab or a hybrid program that combines remote telehealth visits with some in‑person sessions. The team used user-centered design to build the telehealth program and will enroll people after acute coronary syndrome to track attendance, exercise tolerance, and health-related quality of life. The trial will measure how well patients stick with the program, changes in functional outcomes, and differences in participation across racial and ethnic groups. Implementation science methods will be used to identify barriers and refine delivery for real-world use.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults recently hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (heart attack or unstable angina) who are eligible for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation and can use telehealth or attend occasional clinic visits.

Not a fit: People who are not eligible for cardiac rehab, have unstable cardiac conditions requiring other care, or cannot access the necessary technology or connectivity may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make cardiac rehab easier to join and stay in, potentially improving recovery and reducing future heart problems.

How similar studies have performed: Traditional clinic-based cardiac rehab is proven to reduce reinfarction and mortality, and smaller feasibility studies of telehealth or hybrid rehab have shown promise though large randomized trials remain limited.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.