Table 1.

Core components of the home-based cardiac rehabilitation program.

Components	Description	Tools
Patient assessment, risk assessment and identification of risk factors	Clinical history including screening for risk factors, cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular symptoms and signs; feelings toward the pandemic; pharmacological therapy; resting heart rate and blood pressure; blood glucose (if diabetic); body weight; height; physical activity; diet and quality of life	Online questionnaire Regular patient assessment and support
Physical activity counseling	Recommendation on gradual increase in daily life activities, minimum 2.5 hours/week of moderate aerobic activity, multiple bouts, each >10 min, 4-5 days/week; and recommendations to break sedentary time	Online educational sessions Illustrated booklets Phone calls
Exercise training	Submaximal endurance training with gradual increase (3 different levels of progression) and resistance training, 2-3 times per week	Online exercise training sessions (real-time exercise sessions and recorded videos)
Nutritional counseling	Assessment of eating habits and alcohol consumption; education of patient and family concerning dietary goals and healthy food choices	Online educational sessions and webinars
Weight control management	Weight, height and BMI measurements every 2 weeks	Online questionnaire
Blood pressure management	Blood pressure measurement at rest every 2 weeks	Online questionnaire
Diabetes management	Diabetes self-management education and support programs	Online questionnaire
Smoking cessation	Education and encouragement to smokers not to smoke through behavioral advice	Online educational sessions
Psychosocial management	Screening for depression and anxiety	Online educational sessions Psychological group sessions
Education	Education on each component of CR and its purpose, and on self-monitoring and self-management	Online educational sessions

BMI: body mass index; CR: cardiac rehabilitation.