# Digital Educational Strategies to Implement Evidence-Based Care for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

## TL;DR

This paper reviews digital education methods to improve the prevention and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

## Contribution

It highlights the potential of well-designed digital tools, such as text messaging and apps, to support early ACAD care.

## Key findings

- Text messaging improves medication adherence and smoking cessation with modest cardiometabolic benefits.
- Video education increases knowledge and engagement but has mixed clinical effects.
- Digital strategies are most effective when aligned with health literacy and integrated into clinical care.

## Abstract

The Lancet Commission reconceptualises coronary artery disease as atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ACAD)—a lifelong, systemic condition driven by atheroma rather than its late ischaemic consequences. This review summarises digital educational approaches that can support evidence-based ACAD prevention and management earlier in the disease course.

Evidence is strongest for text messaging, which improves medication adherence and smoking cessation and yields modest cardiometabolic benefits. Video education consistently enhances knowledge and engagement, though behavioural and clinical effects are mixed. Multicomponent and app-based strategies can support physical activity, weight, and glycaemic control, but results depend on design and integration. Conversational agents show small to moderate lifestyle improvements, mainly in primary prevention, but robust ACAD-specific outcome data are limited. Generative AI may enhance readability and access, yet clinical benefit is unproven and requires strong governance.

Digital education can support ACAD care when well-designed, clinically integrated, and health-literacy aligned.