American Heart Association Launches Virtual Care Program to Improve Heart Failure Care

Strategic Insights -

The American Heart Association has developed American Heart Association Connected Care, a virtual care program that delivers ongoing heart and cardiometabolic care to patients at home after their hospital stay. The program aims to reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients by providing peace of mind and timely interventions for patients and their families. With nearly 1 in 4 heart failure patients being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, this program is a critical step towards improving heart failure care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The American Heart Association's Connected Care program aims to reduce 30-day readmissions for people with heart failure by providing timely interventions and evidence-based support.
  • The program supports heart failure patients from hospital admission through safe discharge and recovery at home.
  • Connected Care brings care to more communities by delivering personalized support beyond hospital walls.
  • The program is currently underway at four hospitals: Texas Health Allen, Texas Health Resources - Allen, Texas Rutherford Regional Medical Center, Lifepoint Health - Rutherfordton, N.C. Frye Regional Medical Center, Lifepoint Health - Hickory, N.C. Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Montage Health - Monterey, Calif.
  • The program is rooted in over a century of innovative scientific breakthroughs, trusted clinical guidelines, and science-backed educational content.
  • Remote patient monitoring allows for timely interventions and evidence-based support, keeping a close eye on patients' health while they're at home.
  • The program aims to bridge the gap between hospital discharge and recovery at home by providing personalized support and timely interventions.
  • Trained clinicians provide ongoing clinical support and monitor vital sign readings to ensure patients receive proactive, timely support at home.
  • The program aims to improve patient outcomes, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and increase access to care for communities with limited resources.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 1 in 4 heart failure patients is readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.[1]
  • Fewer than 20% of heart failure patients receive all four guideline-directed medical therapy pillars post-discharge.[3]
  • The number of people living with chronic illness is expected to double from 2020 to 2050.[4]
  • The program aims to reduce 30-day readmissions for people with heart failure by providing timely interventions and evidence-based support.
  • The program supports over 55,000 active patients and has partnerships with 18 of the country's leading health systems.[5]

Sources:

[1] Kripalani S, Theobald CN, Anctil B, Vasilevskis EE. Reducing hospital readmission rates: current strategies and future directions. Annu Rev Med. 2014;65:471-85. doi: 10.1146/annurev-med-022613-090415.

[2] Khan, Muhammad Shahzeb, Sreenivasan, Jayakumar, et al. Trends in 30- and 90-Day Readmission Rates for Heart Failure. 2021. Circulation: Heart Failure. Vol 14. No 4. doi:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.121.008335.

[3] Jacobs, Joshua A., Ayodele, Iyanuoluwa, et al. Social Determinants of Health and Disparities in Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Optimization for Heart Failure. 2025. Circulation: Heart Failure. Vol 18 No 1. doi:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.124.012357.

[4] Ansah JP, Chiu CT. Projecting the chronic disease burden among the adult population in the United States using a multi-state population model. Front Public Health. 2023 Jan 13;10:1082183. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1082183.

[5] Cadence. Cadence is a remote care delivery system that keeps patients healthier and clinicians better supported. Cadence's Proactive Care Engine is powered by 24/7 support from its clinical Care Team and technology.