Exercise Training in Women With Heart Disease 2

This study will compare the effects of two different types of training on exercise capacity in women with coronary heart disease (CHD). Participants will be randomized into either the virtual high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or the virtual moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MICT). After randomization, patients will exercise twice a week, for 12 weeks. The sessions will be conducted virtually. Patients will undergo a maximal exercise test, cardiometabolic indicators (height (cm), body mass (kg), body composition (%), waist circumference (cm) and, resting blood pressure) and complete questionnaires about quality of life, mental health, self-determined motivation, self-efficacy and enjoyment.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Women (i.e., female sex assigned at birth) with CHD (e.g., coronary artery bypass grafting surgery \[CABG\], percutaneous coronary intervention \[PCI\], acute myocardial infarction \[MI\], MI with no obstructive coronary artery disease \[MINOCA\], or ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease \[INOCA\] at least 4 weeks post procedure or event; based on clinical evidence this is a safe period of time to exercise); 2. Patient is able to perform a symptom limited CPET (this is the primary outcome and needed to determine peak HR for the exercise training prescription); and 3. Patient is able to read and understand English or French. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient is currently participating in routine exercise training (\>2x/week, routine exercise training is defined as a planned, structured, and repetitive exercise that is performed in order to maintain or improve physical fitness.) (this may reduce the impact of HIIT or MICT on outcomes); 2. Patient has: NYHA class III-IV heart failure symptoms; unstable angina; or established diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe mitral or aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (this may interfere with the ability to engage in MICT or HIIT); 3. Patient has uncontrolled arrhythmia (this may impact the HR-based exercise training prescription and monitoring); 4. Patient is unable to provide written informed consent; or 5. Patient is unwilling or unable to return for follow-up visits at 12 and 26 weeks. 6. Patient is unwilling to be randomized to HIIT or MICT.