A Physical Activity Programme Focussed on Step Volume and Intensity for People With Cardiovascular Disease: Getting Active and Staying Active After Cardiac Rehabilitation

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effect of a physical activity program, focussing on increasing step volume and step intensity (STEP COACH program), compared to usual care in patients with coronary heart problems. The main question it aims to answer is: What is the effect of the STEP COACH program on physical activity levels in patients with coronary artery disease who participated in cardiac rehabilitation? Participants will be randomised in 2 groups: 1. Control group who receives usual care (i.e., a 3-month cardiac rehabilitation program); 2. STEP COACH group who receives usual care and the 9-month STEP COACH program. Objectively measured changes in physical activity time from pre to post STEP COACH program will be compared between groups to see if participants in the STEP COACH group are able to increase their daily physical activity time more compared to participants in the control group.

Inclusion Criteria: * Hospital admission for CAD (ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), unstable angina pectoris (UAP), or stable angina pectoris (AP)) and/or having undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); * Referral to cardiac rehabilitation; * 18 years of age or older; * Able to understand and perform study related procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to give informed consent; * Wheelchair-bound / not physically able to stand or walk; * Language barrier; * CABG surgery expected within 8 weeks after inclusion; * New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure; * Participation in another interventional study targeting physical activity; * Already adhering to physical activity guidelines (i.e. on average \>8,000 steps/day (smartphone) or \>10,000 steps/day (smartwatch or smartband) in the 6 months prior to inclusion).