Virtual cardiac rehab cuts hospital readmission days by 70%

A virtual cardiac rehabilitation program is showing significant promise in reshaping chronic disease management, with a new evaluation revealing it may help reduce hospital readmissions following cardiac events.

The evaluation of Medibank’s Heart Health at Home program, conducted by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, examined 176 Medibank customers enrolled in the program.

“Our analysis showed improvements across nearly all clinical, behavioural and lifestyle risk factors,” said Associate Professor Melinda Carrington, Head of Community Prevention and Cardiac Research at the Baker Institute.

“Participants recorded a 71% reduction in hospital readmission days within 3 months, compared to a natural sample of patients who were eligible for cardiac rehabilitation but unlikely participated in rehabilitation as they did not have a cardiac rehabilitation insurance claim. This gives us confidence that digital health with nurse coordinated care can play a major role in managing chronic disease.”

While the reduction in cardiac-related hospital readmission days were statistically significant at 30 days and 90 days, these benefits did not extend to 12 months.

The findings arrive as Australia grapples with the ongoing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects around 1.3 million people and costs the nation an estimated $14.3 billion each year. Stroke and heart attacks remain leading causes of hospitalisation and death, underscoring the urgency of rethinking traditional models of care.

While cardiac rehabilitation is proven to reduce risk factors and improve quality of life, uptake remains low. Barriers such as travel, time constraints, and limited access to in-person services mean most patients miss out entirely when a virtual option is not available.

“Traditionally, patients who experience a cardiac event are discharged from hospital with little to no follow-up,” said Medibank’s Group Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Wilson. “While face-to-face rehabilitation has long been considered the gold standard, the reality is that many patients do not engage in these programs after their event.”

Helen Souris, CEO of Cardihab, said “While conventional face to face programs play an important role in patient care, they are only accessed by a small minority. Currently 80-90% of eligible patients miss out.”

The appeal of a virtual alternative lies in its accessibility. Dr Wilson added, “Importantly, people are more likely to commit to them, as they can participate from the comfort of their own home.

“This is particularly valuable for individuals living in rural and regional areas, while also offering greater convenience for those in metropolitan regions. As a result, virtual programs have contributed to a reduction in readmission days following cardiac events, as patients are more engaged in their recovery when they do return to care.”

With most of Australia’s CVD budget going toward hospital-based care, the results of this study spotlight an opportunity to shift the dial toward prevention and community-based support.

Delivered by Amplar Health and powered by digital therapeutic technology from Cardihab, Heart Health at Home runs over 6 to 8 weeks and includes personalised coaching, digital progress tracking, and lifestyle support. The program is offered at no cost to Medibank customers recovering from heart-related conditions.

“Innovations like Heart Health at Home show how virtual models can support patients and relieve stress on hospitals. It’s worth considering how similar approaches might be adapted for broader use in the health system,” Dr Wilson said.

“Worldwide, healthcare is shifting towards digitally enabled, personalised, and connected care. Australia needs to keep pace. We’re calling for greater investment in virtual programs that align with how people want to access care.”

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