Advancing Cardiac Rehabilitation Delivery and Outcomes: Focusing on Exercise and Lifestyle

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia
2. Holsworth Biomedical Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia
Interests: exercise; exercise dosing; cardiometabolic health; resistance training; cardiovascular disease; health technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor Assistant
Holsworth Biomedical Research Centre, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia
Interests: exercise prescription; exercise as medicine; cardiometabolic health; physical activity; behaviour change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease explores innovative approaches to improving cardiac rehabilitation outcomes, with particular focus on exercise and lifestyle interventions. Despite the widespread adoption of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation as a secondary care model, poor patient accessibility, enrolment and adherence limit its patient and population impact. This collection presents novel research and clinical insights aimed at optimizing cardiac rehabilitation delivery through tailored exercise prescriptions, digital health integration, and behaviour change strategies. Successful submissions will examine the role of structured physical activity for improving cardiovascular function, reducing morbidity, and enhancing quality of life. Lifestyle modification—including nutrition, stress management, and smoking cessation—may be addressed as a critical complement to exercise-based rehabilitation.

The accepted contributions will highlight emerging models such as home-based and hybrid (telehealth) cardiac rehabilitation, which leverage technology to expand reach and engagement without overburdening our current rehabilitation centres. By showcasing multidisciplinary perspectives and evidence-based practices, this Special Issue aims to inform policy, guide and enhance clinical implementation, and inform future research. Overall, this Special Issue will gather evidence to support the importance of holistic, patient-centred approaches in advancing the effectiveness and equity of cardiac rehabilitation worldwide.

Dr. Brett Gordon
Guest Editor

Dr. Blake Collins
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

  • secondary prevention
  • cardiovascular outcomes
  • digital health
  • physical activity
  • models of care

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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16 pages, 3502 KB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Exercise on Flow-Mediated Dilation in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Yongjie Chen, Bing Han, Yifan Zhang, Boya Gu, Yuanyuan Lv and Laikang Yu
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2025, 12(12), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd12120458 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 438
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on vascular flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with heart failure (HF) and to identify the optimal exercise model for this population. A comprehensive search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on vascular flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with heart failure (HF) and to identify the optimal exercise model for this population. A comprehensive search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases, including data published up to 18 August 2025. A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 224 participants in the intervention groups and 185 participants in the control groups. The results demonstrated that exercise significantly improved FMD (SMD = 1.14, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis showed that aerobic exercise (SMD = 1.25, p < 0.0001), intervention period ≤ 8 weeks (SMD = 2.19, p < 0.00001) Intervention frequency > 3 times per week (SMD = 2.82, p < 0.00001) and each intervention duration < 60 min (SMD = 1.22, p = 0.01) were the most effective in improving FMD in patients with HF. This meta-analysis indicates that aerobic exercise performed more than three times per week, for sessions under 60 min and over an intervention period of up to 8 weeks, is associated with meaningful improvements in FMD in HF patients. These findings offer clear and actionable guidance for clinicians when prescribing exercise to support vascular health in this population. Full article
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