MCNAIR Cardiac Rehab Study
STUDY BASICS
Are you eligible for cardiac rehab? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to compare in-person cardiac rehabilitation to hybrid or telehealth cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart disease? Participants will be randomly assigned to participate in either in-person cardiac rehabilitation or telehealth cardiac rehabilitation. Compensation is provided.
STUDY PURPOSE
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.
COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
- Age 18 or older
- Eligible for cardiac rehabilitation
- Diagnosis within 1 year prior to consent
- Myocardial infarction
- Percutaneous coronary intervention
- Coronary artery bypass
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Heart transplant
- Chronic stable angina, or
- Chronic systolic heart failure (ejection fraction ≤ 35%)
- 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.
- Diagnosis within 1 year prior to consent
- Willing to be randomized to in-person or telehealth cardiac rehabilitation
- Able to communicate in English or Spanish
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
- You will be randomly assigned to participate in either in-person cardiac rehabilitation or telehealth cardiac rehabilitation. Both of these programs will last about 12 weeks.
- Once you complete the cardiac rehabilitation program, the study will ask that you come to three follow-up visits at 3-months, 12-months and 24-months. There will also be brief monthly and quarterly (3-month) questionnaires to provide feedback on your progress.
IRB: 20226864
- Comparative Effectiveness of In-Person and Telehealth Cardiac RehabilitationMEET THE RESEARCHER

Daniel Forman
Daniel E. Forman, MD, is Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The founder of the American College of Cardiology’s Geriatric Cardiology Section, Dr. Forman researches new and novel treatments for seniors with heart problems to help them live full lives.