MCNAIR Study: coMparative effeCtiveness of iN-person and teleheAlth cardIac Rehabilitation

MCNAIR Study: coMparative effeCtiveness of iN-person and teleheAlth cardIac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically recommended program for patients with certain heart conditions. It includes exercise training, health education, and counseling. Unfortunately, many patients do not participate in cardiac rehabilitation. Some find it challenging to attend the in-person sessions. This study aims to compare two methods of delivering cardiac rehabilitation: in-person and through telehealth. The investigators want to know if the effects of these two programs are alike and if certain individuals benefit more from one program over the other.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 or older

2. Eligible for cardiac rehabilitation

   1. Diagnosis within 1 year prior to consent

      • Myocardial infarction
      • Percutaneous coronary intervention
      • Coronary artery bypass
      • Heart valve repair or replacement
      • Heart transplant

   2. Chronic stable angina, or

   3. Chronic systolic heart failure (ejection fraction ≤ 35%)

   4. Referred to cardiac rehabilitation by a doctor or advanced practice provider for another indication that is covered by the participant's insurance, such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or aortic surgery.

3. Willing to be randomized to in-person or telehealth cardiac rehabilitation

4. Able to communicate in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unstable arrhythmias which may make unmonitored exercise unsafe (e.g., history of ventricular tachycardia not on medical therapy and without an implantable cardioverter defibrillator)
2. Unsafe for patient to participate in the opinion of the investigator
3. Hospice
4. Unable to consent for self