Key result
Smart devices were used to track health goals by 42% of U.S. adults with or at risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with 46% of the general adult population.
Why the study?
Smartphone-based health applications are increasingly popular, but their real-world use for cardiovascular risk management remains poorly understood.
Cross-Sectional (n=16,092)
Yes
Absolute Event Rate: 42% vs 46%
Approximately 40% of U.S. adults with or at risk of CVD use smart devices to track health goals, but lower utilization among older and low-income individuals highlights a potential digital divide.
Indicates a digital divide in smart device use among CVD patients; hypothesis-generating for equity-focused interventions.
BACKGROUND: Smartphone-based health applications are increasingly popular, but their real-world use for cardiovascular risk management remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of tracking health goals using smart devices, including smartphones and/or tablets, in the United States. METHODS: Using the nationally representative Health Information National Trends Survey for 2017 to 2020, we examined self-reported tracking of health-related goals (optimizing body weight, increasing physical activity, and/or quitting smoking) using smart devices among those with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cardiovascular risk factors of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and/or smoking. Survey analyses were used to obtain national estimates of use patterns and identify features associated with the use of these devices for tracking health goals. RESULTS: Of 16,092 Health Information National Trends Survey participants, 10,660 had CVD or cardiovascular risk factors, representing 154.2 million (95% CI: 149.2-159.3 million) U.S. adults. Among the general U.S. adult population, 46% (95% CI: 44%-47%) tracked their health goals using their smart devices, compared with 42% (95% CI: 40%-43%) of those with or at risk of CVD. Younger age, female, Black race, higher educational attainment, and greater income were independently associated with tracking of health goals using smart devices. CONCLUSIONS: Two in 5 U.S. adults with or at risk of CVD use their smart devices to track health goals. While representing a potential avenue to improve care, the lower use of smart devices among older and low-income individuals, who are at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, requires that digital health interventions are designed so as not to exacerbate existing disparities.
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Aminorroaya et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors (n=16,092). Cardiovascular disease or risk factors vs. General U.S. adult population was evaluated on Self-reported tracking of health-related goals using smart devices. Smart devices were used to track health goals by 42% of U.S. adults with or at risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with 46% of the general adult population.
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