Home-Based Follow-Up Care Enhances Outcomes for Women and Younger Heart Failure Patients

Recent research from Columbia University Irving Medical Center emphasizes the potential benefits of in-home follow-up care for heart failure patients, especially women and younger individuals. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, highlights how mobile integrated health (MIH) can facilitate a smoother transition from hospital to home, thereby reducing the risk of readmission. Heart failure remains the leading cause of hospitalization among older adults in the United States, with up to 25% of Medicare beneficiaries readmitted within 30 days post-discharge.

The research team conducted the Mighty-Heart trial, involving over 2,000 hospitalized heart failure patients across 11 New York City hospitals. Participants were assigned to either a simple transitions of care follow-up via nurse call within 48-72 hours or to an enhanced care model combining nurse follow-up, community paramedic visits, and telehealth consultations. While the overall 30-day readmission rates were similar between groups, notable differences emerged among specific populations.

Younger patients under 70 experienced improved health status with MIH support. More significantly, women in the MIH group exhibited a 30% lower likelihood of all-cause hospital readmission and a 36% reduction in readmission due to heart failure compared to those receiving only nurse follow-up. Researchers suggest that patients facing greater social- and economic-related barriers, such as financial stress or insufficient caregiving support, may derive the most benefit from mobile health services.

These findings underscore the importance of tailoring care strategies to meet the needs of diverse patient groups and highlight the role of innovative care models in improving outcomes for high-risk heart failure patients.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-home-heart-failure-patients-benefit.html