Every year, 55,000 Australians have a heart attack, representing one every ten minutes. All patients are referred to a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program to help with their recovery.
Unfortunately, not everyone is able to attend centre-based CR, mainly due to difficulties accessing such programs. With the COVID-19 restrictions further limiting access to centre-based CR, innovative e-health programs are needed to assist cardiac patients with their recovery.
The team at the Australian Centre for Heart Health (ACHH) is very excited to be launching, Back on Track, our online self-management program for people who have had a heart event. This program is evidence-based and is the product of over a decade of world-leading research conducted at the ACHH.
The Back on Track program helps people manage their health behaviours and emotional wellbeing. The program includes a goal-setting module and four lifestyle modules relating to dietary change, physical activity, smoking cessation and emotional recovery. Participants complete whichever of the online modules are relevant to them at their own pace, in the comfort and privacy of their own home. At this time, we are trialling different ways of providing this service, so some people will also be randomly assigned to receive two telephone calls with a specially trained facilitator to assist them in completing the online modules.
We would love to have you join our Back on Track program!
You, or a loved one, are eligible to participate in the Back on Track trial if you have had a heart attack, heart surgery or stent, or unstable angina, in the past 12 months. You will also need access to a computer or tablet and the internet. There is no cost for doing the program.
You can register for the Back on Track program at www.australianhearthealth.org.au
For more information, please contact Dr Michelle Rogerson on (03) 9326 8544 or backontrack@australianhearthealth.org.au.
