How Can Digital Measures Advance Heart Failure Research?

Chronic heart failure (HF) poses a significant health challenge, exacting a substantial toll on individuals and society alike. This progressive ailment affects a staggering 65 million individuals globally, surpassing all other chronic diseases in terms of Medicare expenditure. The strain imposed by HF on patients and healthcare systems has led to the integration of wearable digital health technologies (DHTs) in cardiovascular research and development efforts. These cutting-edge technologies facilitate comprehensive data collection, shedding light on the impact of HF on patients' lives and offering insights into enhancing prevention and treatment strategies.

HF is conventionally characterized by the heart's inability to adequately pump blood to meet the body's demands, often accompanied by heightened filling pressures. The hallmark symptoms of HF, including exercise intolerance, exertional dyspnea, and fatigue, significantly diminish quality of life. Traditional assessment tools such as patient-reported quality of life questionnaires (e.g., Kansas City Cardiomyopathy and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure) and exercise tests like the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) have long been employed to gauge these symptoms.

However, wearable DHTs offer a less burdensome means of collecting data on physical activity, mobility, and sleep patterns, all of which are crucial indicators in HF management.