Opportunity 

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Medications can significantly reduce the rate of repeat cardiovascular events and treatment procedures; however, adherence to these medications is very low. In fact, within a year of their heart attacks, only about 40 percent of patients are still taking their prescribed medications. 

Intervention 

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania leveraged Way to Health to explore if digital technology and nudges could help encourage heart attack patients to keep taking their medication after leaving the hospital.  

The HeartStrong team enrolled more than 1,500 adults from across the country who had been discharged from the hospital with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Participants in the intervention arm received electronic pill bottles that wirelessly transmitted data about bottle opening. They also received daily lottery incentives, the option to enlist a support partner who would be notified about medication adherence failure, access to social work resources, and a staff engagement advisor to provide feedback and reinforcement. Participants in the control arm received usual care. 

Impact 

The study's compound intervention did not significantly improve AMI survivors' medication adherence or vascular readmission and did not reduce medical spending.