Text Messaging to Improve Heart Healthy Behaviors and Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation

Mobile phone interventions, such as text messaging programs, have been shown to promote healthy behaviors in patients with coronary heart disease, but it is unknown whether text messaging can successfully promote participation in cardiac rehabilitation. This study will have the following aims: Aim 1: Adapt a theory- and evidence-based text messaging intervention to promote participation in cardiac rehabilitation. Aim 2: Determine whether text messaging improves participation in cardiac rehabilitation among eligible patients. This study will have two parts. In part 1, the investigators will enroll patients with heart disease to rate the acceptability of text messages. In part 2, the investigators will enroll patients to participate in a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized to receive text messages or no text messages for 6 months. Those who have been assigned to receive the text messaging intervention will be sent several text messages per week throughout the study period. The content of these text messages is designed promote healthy behaviors and participation in cardiac rehabilitation. Those who have not been assigned to receive the text messaging intervention will receive usual care. Outcome measures will be assessed at a baseline visit and at a 6-month follow-up visit at the end of the intervention. Additionally, some participants in the text messaging intervention group will be interviewed about their overall satisfaction and engagement with the text messages upon completion of the study.