Some 31 percent of heart patients are using digital health tools to manage their condition, according to a HealthMine survey of 501 consumers with known heart disease or heart disease risk. The survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) in January and all respondents are enrolled in a health plan.

Within the group of patients using digital health tools to manage their condition, 50 percent use an activity tracking device or app, 48 percent are using a blood pressure app, 47 percent are using a heart rate app, and 38 percent are using a food and nutrition app. 

The survey also found that 27 percent of respondents said they use an activity tracking device, though just 16 of use the device specifically to manage their condition. But of the 27 percent of respondents that use an activity tracking device, 74 percent said it helps them cope with their condition.

"Being connected to your health data can make a difference,” HealthMine CEO Bryce Williams said in a statement. “Millions of wearable fitness tracking devices will be incorporated into wellness programs over the next few years. But they need to tie into a larger, clinically-based strategy to help consumers know where they stand with their health, what they need to do and stay motivated to do it.”

Some 36 percent of respondents that aren’t using digital health to manage their heart condition said they prefer to use "traditional" methods to manage their health, 34 percent said they aren’t sure which app or device to use, 20 percent said they don’t own a mobile device, and 15 percent said digital health tools confuse them.