This study will employ a mixed methods design including a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), followed by semi-structured interviews, to compare an intervention group and a control group receiving usual care.~The pilot RCT will include 60 sedentary adult women with a history of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) who will be randomized to the intervention arm (4-week physician-led remote exercise program) or usual care. The primary outcome will be change in minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at 4 weeks, which will be measured with Fitbit trackers provided to all participants. Secondary outcomes will include change in MVPA at 12 weeks, the proportion of patients achieving guidelines-recommended volumes of physical activity (PA) at 4 and 12 weeks, change in minutes of sedentary time per week at 4 and 12 weeks, change in cardiometabolic health measures (e.g. self-reported weight, blood pressure, and resting heart rate), and change in survey-based measures of self determination, intrinsic motivation, well-being, and quality of life. Additional feasibility outcomes will include satisfaction, and likelihood to recommend.~Following completion of the 4-week intervention, 10 participants in the intervention arm will be asked to participate in brief semi-structured interviews to provide general feedback on the exercise program.
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide (Nowbar et al., 2019). Exercise has been shown to be effective in preventing repeat heart attacks, hospitalizations and death among heart attack survivors (Lawler et al., 2011). But, few heart attack survivors -- particularly women -- get the recommended amount of physical activity (Minges et al., 2017; Gorczyca et al., 2017). The goal of this pilot study is to test the potential of an innovative new doctor-led exercise program to improve physical activity and quality of life for women who have had heart attacks in the past. Women who take part in the study will be randomly assigned to participation in the exercise program (which will consist of three 45-minute exercise sessions on Zoom per week) or usual care (attending medical appointments and following doctors' recommendations). All participants will be asked to wear Fitbit activity trackers to track steps every day, to use blood pressure cuffs to measure blood pressure at home, and complete a brief set of surveys at the beginning of the study, after 4 weeks, and after 12 weeks. Additionally, 10 people in the exercise group group will be asked to participate in brief interviews after the program for feedback on the program.