Abstract

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of telecardiology in the management of heart failure among rural populations, with relevance for other underserved communities lacking equal access to cardiovascular care. The purpose of the review is to synthesize the existing evidence of how telecardiology intervention affects clinical outcomes such as hospital readmission, mortality, symptom controls, and quality of life for patients in rural areas. The systematic review consisted of 30 relevant peer-reviewed studies in English language published between 2016 and 2022. Across the studies, remote monitoring technologies, virtual consultation and wearable equipment greatly improved care coordination for heart failure patients, reduced emergency hospital visits, and increased the patient's self-management. However, implementation barriers such as limited digital illiteracy, poor internet access, weak infrastructure, and lack of policy support continue to limit how well these services work in rural areas. The review concludes that telecardiology holds great potential to bridge healthcare access gaps for rural dwellers, however, its longterm success depends on an intervention in national healthcare planning, continuous investment in health infrastructure for rural areas and strong integration into clinical practice. In order to fully maximize the benefits of telecardiology in for rural heart failure, future efforts should invest in rural digital infrastructure, train healthcare teams, promote digital literacy in rural areas and embed telecardiology into national health systems. With the right support, telecardiology can bridge care gaps and improve heart health equity in rural areas.