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Patients with cardiac conditions are showing strong interest in flexible, home-based cardiac rehabilitation, with a new survey finding that 79% would be likely to participate in at-home care. However, concerns about affordability, motivation, space, technology and continued communication with healthcare teams could influence whether patients actually adopt these programmes.

Patients Show Strong Interest in Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation has traditionally relied heavily on supervised sessions in hospitals, clinics and dedicated rehabilitation centres. However, advances in digital health technology and remote monitoring are creating new opportunities for patients to receive parts of their care at home.

A survey conducted by digital health company Vivalink among 150 patients with a range of cardiac conditions found substantial interest in this approach. According to the survey findings, 79% of respondents said they would be very or somewhat likely to participate in at-home cardiac care when given the option.

The preference for flexibility was also reflected in rehabilitation choices. Around 68% of respondents said they would prefer either a largely home-based or hybrid approach to cardiac rehabilitation.

These findings suggest that some patients may value rehabilitation models that reduce the need for frequent travel while allowing them to incorporate recovery activities into their daily routines.

Why Flexible Cardiac Rehabilitation Matters

Cardiac rehabilitation can involve exercise, education, lifestyle support and ongoing monitoring following certain cardiac conditions or procedures. Traditional centre-based programmes can provide direct supervision, but attending regular sessions may be difficult for patients who live far from healthcare facilities, have mobility challenges or face scheduling constraints.

Home-based and hybrid models can potentially address some of these practical issues by moving selected aspects of rehabilitation into the patient’s everyday environment.

However, flexibility does not necessarily mean patients want to manage their recovery alone. The survey indicates that maintaining contact with healthcare professionals remains an important part of an acceptable home-based programme.

Wearables Could Play a Larger Role in Remote Cardiac Care

Wearable technology was another significant theme in the survey. About 78% of participants said they would be comfortable using a wearable device for at-home cardiac monitoring, management and care.

More than 80% also expressed confidence that a wearable could accurately capture the information their healthcare team needs.

This level of patient confidence is relevant as healthcare systems increasingly explore remote monitoring technologies. Wearables can potentially collect health-related information outside conventional clinical settings and allow care teams to review selected data remotely.

For patients, however, the usefulness of a wearable depends on more than its ability to collect information. The device must also be comfortable, understandable and convenient enough to use consistently.

Automatic Data Sharing Was a Major Patient Preference

When survey participants were asked about the characteristics they would value most in a wearable, automatic transfer of health information to their care teams emerged as a leading consideration.

Approximately 63% identified automatic data transmission as the most important factor in making a wearable easy to use.

Patients also highlighted comfort and straightforward instructions and setup. These preferences underline an important principle of digital healthcare: technology can become a barrier rather than a solution if it requires complicated procedures or significant effort from patients.

A device that automatically communicates relevant information with the care team may reduce the burden on patients while supporting a more connected model of rehabilitation.

Patients Still Want Access to Their Healthcare Teams

Interest in home-based rehabilitation was not equivalent to a preference for completely independent care. Continued connectivity with healthcare professionals was identified as an important condition for patients considering an at-home programme.

This distinction could be important as healthcare providers develop remote cardiac rehabilitation services. Patients may appreciate being able to exercise and complete rehabilitation activities at home while still having reassurance that trained professionals remain accessible.

A hybrid model could therefore combine the convenience of home-based rehabilitation with selected clinical appointments, remote monitoring and regular communication with healthcare teams.

Motivation and Home Space Are Practical Challenges

Despite the overall enthusiasm for home-based care, respondents identified several challenges that could limit participation.

About 40% expressed concern about their potential lack of motivation to exercise alone. Cardiac rehabilitation often involves structured physical activity, and exercising without the presence of other patients or healthcare professionals may make it harder for some individuals to maintain a routine.

Another 37% were concerned about having insufficient space at home for rehabilitation equipment.

These findings highlight why simply moving a clinic-based programme into a patient’s home may not be enough. Successful home-based cardiac rehabilitation may require programme designs that account for differences in living environments, physical capabilities, technology access and personal motivation.

Cost Remains a Major Barrier to At-Home Cardiac Care

Affordability was one of the clearest concerns identified by respondents.

Six in 10 participants said they would not be willing to pay out of pocket for a home-based cardiac rehabilitation programme. At the same time, 87% said they would be more likely to participate if insurance providers covered these services.

The contrast suggests that interest in remote cardiac rehabilitation may be closely linked to how programmes are financed. Patients may support the concept of home-based care but remain reluctant to take on additional personal healthcare expenses.

For healthcare providers and insurers, this could make reimbursement an important consideration in expanding access to digital and home-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Digital Health Is Changing the Cardiac Care Model

The survey comes amid a broader shift toward delivering selected aspects of cardiac treatment, rehabilitation and monitoring outside traditional clinical environments.

Digital health technologies and wearable devices are increasingly being explored as tools for supporting patients between clinical encounters. Remote approaches can potentially make monitoring and rehabilitation more adaptable to individual circumstances.

However, technology should complement rather than replace appropriate clinical oversight. Cardiac conditions can vary substantially in severity and complexity, meaning the suitability of home-based rehabilitation depends on the individual patient, the programme and the level of professional supervision available.

What Patients Appear to Want From Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Vivalink survey points to several characteristics that patients appear to value when considering remote cardiac rehabilitation:

• Flexibility: The ability to complete rehabilitation activities at home or through a hybrid model.
• Clinical connectivity: Continued communication with healthcare professionals.
• Easy-to-use technology: Simple setup and instructions.
• Comfortable wearables: Devices that can be used without creating significant inconvenience.
• Automatic data sharing: Efficient transfer of relevant information to care teams.
• Affordable access: Insurance coverage or other payment models that reduce out-of-pocket costs.
• Support for motivation: Programme features that help patients remain engaged with exercise and rehabilitation.

The Future May Be Hybrid Rather Than Entirely Home-Based

The findings suggest that the future of cardiac rehabilitation may not necessarily involve choosing between hospital-based and home-based care. Instead, hybrid programmes could combine elements of both approaches.

Patients could potentially complete appropriate exercises and monitoring activities at home while receiving periodic in-person assessments and maintaining communication with their care teams. Wearable technology could support remote data collection, while healthcare professionals could use those insights alongside clinical assessment.

Such models would need to be designed around patient safety, clinical appropriateness, accessibility, privacy, usability and affordability. Technology alone cannot determine whether a patient is suitable for remote rehabilitation or replace professional medical judgment.

Conclusion

Interest in at-home cardiac rehabilitation is substantial among the patients surveyed by Vivalink, with 79% indicating that they would be likely to participate in home-based care and 68% favouring a home-based or hybrid rehabilitation approach.

At the same time, the survey highlights the conditions required for wider acceptance. Patients want reliable connections with their healthcare teams, easy-to-use and comfortable technology, and systems that can automatically share relevant health information. Motivation, limited home space and particularly out-of-pocket costs remain important barriers.

As cardiac care increasingly incorporates digital health technologies and remote monitoring, patient preferences will be an important consideration in designing rehabilitation programmes. The challenge will be to combine the convenience of home-based care with appropriate clinical supervision and equitable access.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. The suitability of home-based or hybrid cardiac rehabilitation depends on an individual’s medical condition and should be determined with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Meta Title: At-Home Cardiac Rehabilitation: Patient Interest, Costs and Wearables

Meta Description: A new Vivalink survey finds strong patient interest in at-home cardiac rehabilitation, while cost, motivation, space and healthcare connectivity remain key concerns.