Virtual Booth

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally and in Malaysia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 17.9 million people die annually from CVDs accounting for 32% of all global deaths. Despite the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), participation remains low, with over 50% of eligible patients in Malaysia not enrolling. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted access to center-based CR, emphasizing the urgent need for scalable, home-based digital solutions.

In response, the UMFit platform was developed, an AI-powered, hybrid mobile and web-based system designed to deliver personalized, accessible, and cost-effective CR. UMFit integrates wearable fitness trackers, real-time monitoring, AI-enabled exercise prescriptions, and automated alerts to support timely interventions. It also supports daily health management including medication adherence, weight control, and fluid intake. Tailored educational content empowers patients, while gamification and peer support features improve motivation and adherence.

Critically, UMFit addresses the growing shortage of healthcare professionals with WHO projecting a shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, mostly in low and lower-middle income countries. By automating CR programme recommendations and enabling remote monitoring, UMFit reduces the workload of health professionals while expanding care to underserved populations.

Unlike general fitness apps, UMFit is clinically guided, developed using Malaysian datasets, and designed for integration within healthcare services. Early pilot studies show strong feasibility and acceptance. UMFit has significant potential by improving outcomes, enhancing accessibility, and transforming digital cardiac care in Malaysia and similar health systems worldwide.

Keywords: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence, Remote Monitoring, Wearable Technology