Smart technology to support recovery of heart attack patients

The Trust is playing a leading role in a major trial assessing the use of smart technologies to support the recovery of heart attack patients.

STH, along with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is trialling new technology which will enable cardiac rehabilitation services to be delivered to patients in their own homes.

The technology, known as the Digitally Enhanced Rehabilitation in Cardiac

Patients (DERIC) care platform, uses a Fitbit smartwatch to help patients measure heart rate, rhythm and physical activity and plugs into a mobile app following a heart attack, heart surgery or stent procedure. This information can then be accessed remotely by doctors, nurses and other health professionals as part of the patient’s care plan. The system could have the same benefits as current cardiac rehabilitation services, but also has the potential to improve the cardiovascular health and well-being of harder to reach groups.