Researchers tested a program called HeartHealth that sends text messages to people who recently had heart problems. Over four years, nearly 9,000 patients in Australia received six months of helpful text messages about heart health, diet, exercise, and taking their medications. Most people who started the program finished it, and about 6 out of 10 said the texts helped them eat better, exercise more, and remember to take their medicines. The program was cheap to run and reached many patients, showing that simple text messages can be a powerful way to help people manage their heart health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a text message program could help people with heart disease make healthier choices and stick to their treatment plans
  • Who participated: Nearly 23,000 heart patients in Western Sydney, Australia who had recently been to a heart doctor or stayed in the hospital for heart problems. About 8,800 people signed up, and about 7,960 finished the six-month program. The average age was 59 years old, and 60% were men.
  • Key finding: About 6 out of 10 people who completed the program said it helped them eat healthier, and more than half said it helped them exercise more and remember to take their heart medicines. The text messages were delivered successfully 99% of the time.
  • What it means for you: If you have heart disease or recently had heart problems, receiving helpful text messages might be a simple, free way to improve your health habits. However, this study only shows what people reported feeling—it didn’t measure actual health improvements like blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

The Research Details

Researchers looked at data from a real-world program that ran from 2020 to 2024 in Australia. They combined numbers from the program (like how many people signed up and how many messages were sent) with feedback from patients who took surveys and discussions with staff members who ran the program. This mixed approach let them see both the big picture of how many people the program reached and the personal stories of whether it actually helped people.

The program itself was straightforward: patients received one text message per day for six months. Each message was customized based on the patient’s heart condition and included tips about diet, exercise, medications, and general heart health. Patients could also reply to messages with questions or concerns.

This type of study is important because it shows whether a program works in real life, not just in a controlled lab setting. By combining numbers with personal stories, researchers can understand both how many people the program reaches and whether it actually makes a difference in their lives. This helps hospitals and health systems decide if they should use similar programs.

The study is strong because it included a very large number of people (nearly 23,000) over a long time period (four years), which makes the results more reliable. The high success rate of message delivery (99.41%) shows the program worked as intended. However, the study relied on people’s own reports of whether they changed their behavior—researchers didn’t measure actual health improvements like weight loss or blood pressure changes. Also, only about 40% of people who completed the program answered the survey, so we don’t know if those who answered were different from those who didn’t.

What the Results Show

The HeartHealth program successfully reached a large number of patients. Of the nearly 23,000 people invited, about 8,800 (38%) signed up, and about 7,960 (91%) completed the full six months. This shows that once people started the program, most stuck with it.

When asked about the impact, participants reported positive changes: 60.5% said the program helped them eat healthier foods, 53.6% said it motivated them to exercise more, and 56.1% said it helped them remember to take their heart medicines. These are important behaviors because they directly affect heart health.

Participants also mentioned that the program gave them emotional support, reminded them why changing their habits matters, and helped them feel more confident managing their own health. Many people said the program kept them focused on their health goals.

Beyond the main results, the study found that the program worked well as a delivery system—over 851,000 text messages were sent with almost no technical problems. Patients and staff also identified areas for improvement: some people wanted more personalized messages based on their specific situation, others wanted messages in different languages, and some wanted more control over when they received texts. Staff members suggested that involving local doctors and nurses more in the program could make it even better.

This study adds to growing evidence that simple technology like text messages can help patients manage chronic diseases. Previous research has shown promise with text-based programs for various health conditions, and this study confirms that approach works well for heart patients specifically. The large scale and long duration of this program (four years with thousands of patients) make it one of the more substantial real-world tests of this approach.

The main limitation is that the study relied on patients’ own reports of behavior change rather than measuring actual health improvements. For example, we don’t know if people’s cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or weight actually improved. Additionally, only about 40% of people who finished the program answered the survey, so we can’t be sure the results apply to everyone. The study also didn’t include a comparison group of heart patients who didn’t receive the text messages, so we can’t be completely certain the texts caused the improvements rather than other factors. Finally, the study was done in one area of Australia, so results might be different in other countries or communities.

The Bottom Line

If you have recently had heart problems or been treated for heart disease, asking your doctor about text message support programs like HeartHealth could be worthwhile. The evidence suggests these programs may help you remember to take medicines, eat better, and exercise more. However, text messages alone are not a replacement for regular doctor visits and prescribed treatments. Start with realistic expectations—this program appears to help with motivation and reminders rather than being a cure. Confidence level: Moderate (based on patient reports, not measured health outcomes).

This program is designed for adults who have recently had heart problems, including those who were hospitalized for heart issues or recently visited a heart specialist. It may be especially helpful for people who struggle to remember medications or need motivation to change their lifestyle habits. People who prefer not to use text messages or who don’t have regular cell phone access might not benefit. Those with severe heart conditions should continue regular doctor care regardless of whether they use a text program.

Based on the study, the program runs for six months. Most people reported noticing changes in their motivation and habits within this timeframe. However, actual health improvements (like better blood pressure or cholesterol) typically take longer—usually several months to a year of consistent healthy behaviors. Don’t expect overnight changes, but use the program as a tool to build better habits over time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily medication adherence (yes/no for each dose) and weekly exercise minutes. Also log weekly diet quality using a simple 1-5 scale based on how many servings of fruits/vegetables you ate and how often you chose healthier options.
  • Set up daily app reminders that coincide with your text messages. When you receive a health tip via text, immediately log it in your app and note one action you’ll take that day based on the message. This creates a habit loop that reinforces the text message content.
  • Use the app to track the same three behaviors measured in the study: medication adherence, physical activity, and diet quality. Review your progress weekly and share monthly summaries with your doctor. This gives you concrete data to discuss with your healthcare team about whether the program is working for you.

This study shows that text message programs may help heart patients remember to take medicines and improve healthy behaviors based on what people reported. However, this research does not prove that text messages alone can prevent heart disease or replace medical treatment. If you have heart disease or have recently had heart problems, continue following your doctor’s advice and taking prescribed medications. Text message programs should be used as a tool to support your treatment plan, not as a substitute for regular medical care. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or lifestyle. Results from this Australian program may not apply exactly to other countries or healthcare systems.