Mobile Apps and Wearables for Cardiovascular Health: Review and Analysis (Preprint)

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. In response, an increasing number of individuals are adopting mobile health apps and wearable devices. These technologies provide critical insights into heart health and fitness, enabling users to actively monitor their well-being and manage their medications.

This review aimed to investigate the current landscape of mHealth apps and wearables designed for cardiovascular health, with a specific focus on the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). It evaluated their benefits for both patients and clinicians, while also analyzing how well these technologies integrate into the broader healthcare ecosystem.

To identify heart health apps, a keyword search was performed on both the Swiss Apple App and Google Play Stores, while a separate search on Google targeting heart health wearables. The identified apps and wearables were evaluated using the foundational and contextual criteria of the sociotechnical framework for assessing patient-facing eHealth tools.

After filtering out apps and wearables that did not meet specific criteria, the review analyzed 20 apps and 22 wearables. While all the apps were available in the DACH region, only 30% were specifically designed for these countries. Only 25% of the apps included gender-specific information, and 40% were based on evidence-based research. However, 25% provided no research or general information on cardiovascular health. Four apps had clinical integration, but only 10% effectively enhanced clinician workflows. Privacy policies were present in 95% of the apps, with 75% adhering to GDPR regulations; one app had no data protection policy. Medically certified apps were limited to 20%. For wearables, only 9% were tailored to the DACH region, and 40% addressed women’s health. While around 60% offered clinical integration, only 9% improved clinical workflows. Twelve percent of wearables were medically certified, and 77% referenced scientific or peer-reviewed research. All wearables included a privacy policy.

The review highlighted a broad range of mHealth tools available to users, yet only a few provided significant value to both patients and clinicians while effectively integrating into the healthcare system. Many of these tools inadequately addressed the needs of women, who are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular diseases, as their specific needs were often overlooked. Moreover, the benefits for clinicians were sometimes insufficient. These findings emphasize the need for mHealth tools that are evidence-based and tailored to the needs of both patients and healthcare providers, aiming to bridge the gap between them and enhance care management.

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