Dr Alex Harrison PhD MSc BSC
Lead Analyst
NHS Arden & Gem CSU, NHS England.
Job Role
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Large data set management and analysis, including complex hierarchical methods.
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Disseminate through publications, seminar and conference presentations
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Perform research projects, with the aim to publish and inform policy makers.
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Participate with National and International Stakeholders – NHS England, BHF & ICCPR.
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Peer reviewer for journals.
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Member of the NACR steering Group.
Bibliography
Full List of publications can be found at
ORCID ID – 0000-0002-2257-6508
Highlights
Achieving cardiac rehabilitation uptake targets: What is the value case for commissioners? A UK case-study
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.03.041
Cardiac rehabilitation registries around the globe: current status and future needs
Does cardiac rehabilitation meet minimum standards: an observational study using UK national audit?
‘Education is not the learning of facts, but training the mind to think’ – Albert Einstein.
National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation – Current Post
It’s Aims:
The National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR) is hosted by NHS Arden and GEM CSU and commissioned by NHS England. The NACR Steering Group is representative of stakeholders and beneficiaries including clinicians, patients, commissioners and NHS England policy team members.
Alex Harrison presenting in Glasgow at the 2025 BACPR Conference.
Showcasing recent findings by the audit and highlighting variation locally and nationally.
NACR Annual Reports
NACR Quality and Outcomes report 2022
NACR Quality and Outcomes report 2023
NACR Quality and Outcomes report 2024
NACR Quality and Outcomes report 2025
List of peer reviewed work
2026
Change in exercise capacity after cardiac rehabilitation following coronary heart disease in patients with and without diabetes: A follow-up study
Birgitte Bitsch Gadager, Lars Hermann Tang, Claus Sevel, Patrick Doherty, Alexander Harrison, Thomas Maribo, International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2025.134005
Factors Influencing Walking Fitness Following Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With and Without New‑Onset Depression
Serdar Sever, Alexander Harrison, Patrick Doherty, Georgian Badicu, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
https://doi.org/10.1155/ppc/5149806
2025
Correction to: Cardiac rehabilitation registries around the globe: current status and future needs
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae397
Technology-enabled hybrid cardiac rehabilitation: Qualitative study of healthcare professional and patient perspectives at three cardiac rehabilitation centres in England
Sarah Damery, Janet Jones, Alexander Harrison, Sebastian Hinde, Kate Jolly, PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319619
2024
Cardiac rehabilitation registries around the globe: current status and future needs
Sherry L Grace, Emil Hagström, Alexander S Harrison, Samara Phillips, Ann Bovin, Miho N Yokoyama, Josef Niebauer, Shigeru Makita, Fabbiha Raidah, Maria Back, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae182
The use of cardiac rehabilitation for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) patients: a survey of practitioners
Charlotte Nichol, Alexander Harrison, Rajiv Das, Gill Barry, Michael Kelly, Ioannis Vogiatzis, Nicola Adams, Conference Paper
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2024-bacpr.29
Introduction of a lipid multidisciplinary team meeting to improve outcomes for individuals attending cardiac rehabilitation in aneurin bevan university health board
Sarah Howard, Ceri Kostin, Nadia El-Farhan, Linda Edmunds, Alexander Harrison, Conference Paper
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2024-bacpr.44
Technology-enabled hybrid cardiac rehabilitation: qualitative study of healthcare professional and patient perspectives
Kate Jolly, Sarah Damery, Janet Jones, Alexander Harrison, Sebastian Hinde, Kevin A Auton, Conference Paper
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2024-bacpr.4
Impact of changes in the modes of cardiac rehabilitation delivery on exercise capacity and physical activity outcomes: an observational study
Mosab Alhejaili, Alexander Harrison, Patrick Doherty, Conference Paper
https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2024-bacpr.51
What are the determinants of change in walking fitness in patients with a history of depression following cardiac rehabilitation?
Serdar Sever, Alexander Harrison, Patrick Doherty, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvae047
Are cardiac rehabilitation pathways influenced by diabetes: A cohort study
Birgitte Bitsch Gadager, Lars Hermann Tang, Patrick Doherty, Marie Louise Svendsen, Kirstine Lærum Sibilitz, Alexander Harrison, Thomas Maribo, International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132275
2023
Screening for – and prevalence of – anxiety and depression in cardiac rehabilitation in the post-COVID era. An observational study
Charlotte Helmark, Alexander Harrison, Susanne S. Pedersen, Patrick Doherty, International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131379
Examining the effectiveness of home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs for heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction: a critical review
Shahram Darvishzadehdaledari, Alexander Harrison, Fatemeh Gholami, Arian Azadnia, BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-023-03640-x
Optimal outcomes from cardiac rehabilitation are associated with longer-term follow-up and risk factor status at 12 months: An observational registry-based study
Lars Hermann Tang, Patrick Doherty, Søren T. Skou, Alexander Harrison, International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.05.028
Factors associated with new-onset depressive symptoms in patients starting cardiac rehabilitation: Pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 period comparison
Serdar Sever, Alexander Harrison, Patrick Doherty, Journal of Psychosomatic Research
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111342
2022
Benefits of cardiac rehabilitation following acute coronary syndrome for patients with and without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Gadager, B. B., Tang, L. H., Ravn, M. B., Doherty, P., Harrison, A., Christensen, J., Taylor, R. S., Zwisler, A-D., Maribo, T., BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02723-5
Exercise rehabilitation in COPD and heart failure: comparison of two national audits
Jones, A. V., Evans, R. A., Harrison, A. S., Sherar, L. B., Steiner, M. C., Doherty, P., Singh, S. J., ERJ Open Research
https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00452-2022
Levels of depressive symptoms in cardiac patients attending cardiac rehabilitation with a history of depression: pre Covid‑19 and Covid‑19 period comparison
Sever S., Harrison A. S., Doherty P., BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02867-4
Are patient characteristics and modes of delivery associated with completion of cardiac rehabilitation? A national registry analysis
Tang, L. T., Harrison, A., Skou, S. T., Doherty, P., International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.06.058
Systematic screening for anxiety and depression in cardiac rehabilitation – are we there yet?
Helmark, C., Harrison, A., Pederson, S., Doherty, P., International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.02.029
2021
To what extent are comorbidity profiles associated with referral and uptake to cardiac rehabilitation
Tang, L. H., Harrison, A., Skou, S. T., Doherty, P., International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.10.075
Obese patients’ characteristics and weight loss outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation: An observational study of registry data
Wilkinson, J., Harrison, A. S., Doherty, P., International Journal of Cardiology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.04.063
2020
Factors influencing the uptake of cardiac rehabilitation by cardiac patients with a comorbidity of stroke.
A.S.HarrisonaN.J.GaskinsbL.A.ConnellbcP.Dohertya, IJC Heart & Vasculature April 2020
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2020.100471
2019
Factors influencing implementation of aerobic exercise after stroke: a systematic review
Gaskins, N. J., Bray, E., Hill, J. E., Doherty, P. J., Harrison, A. & Connell, L. A., 25 Dec 2019.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1704075
To what extent is multi-morbidity associated with new onset depression in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation?
Sever, S., Doherty, P., Harrison, A. S. & Golder, S., 14 Nov 2019
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-019-1245-6
Improving cardiac rehabilitation uptake: Potential health gains by socioeconomic status
Hinde, S., Bojke, L., Harrison, A., DOherty, P., 8th May 2019, In European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 26,17, p. 1816-1823.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487319848533
Determinants of depression in patients with comorbid depression following cardiac rehabilitation
Sever, S., Harrison, A. S., Golder, S. P. & Doherty, P. J., 9 Apr 2019, In : Open Heart. 6, 1, 6 p.
https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2018-000973
What factors are associated with patients walking fitness when starting cardiac rehabilitation?
Minotto, M., Harrison, A. S., Grazzi, G., Myers, J. & Doherty, P. J., Mar 2019, In : IJC Heart & Vasculature. 22, p. 26-30
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2018.11.002
Determinants of walking fitness in patients with heart failure attending cardiac rehabilitation
Doherty, P. J., Harrison, A. S. & Hossain, R., 27 Feb 2019, In : Open Heart. 6, 1, p. e000866 e000866.
https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2018-000866
2018
Does the mode of delivery in routine cardiac rehabilitation have an association with cardiovascular risk factor outcomes?
Harrison, A. S. & Doherty, P., 1 Dec 2018, In : European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 25, 18, 9 p.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487318798923
Are physical fitness outcomes in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation determined by the mode of delivery?
Harrison, A. S., Tang, L. H. & Doherty, P. J., 16 Jul 2018, In : Open Heart. 7 p.
https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2018-000822
Factors influencing change in walking ability in patients with heart failure undergoing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation
Sutherland, N., Harrison, A. & Doherty, P., 18 May 2018, In : International Journal of Cardiology.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.05.021
Gender differences in the factors predicting initial engagement at cardiac rehabilitation
Galdas, P. M., Harrison, A. S. & Doherty, P. J., 27 Mar 2018, In : Open Heart. 5, p. 1-8 8 p., e000764.
https://doi:10.1136/openhrt-2017-000764
Does the mode of delivery in Cardiac Rehabilitation determine the extent of psychosocial health outcomes?
Harrison, A. S. & Doherty, P., 15 Mar 2018, In : International Journal of Cardiology. 255, p. 136-139 4 p.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.11.056
Additional Published Work
Cardiac Rehabilitation NACR work listed in:
NICE quality Statement Cardiac Rehabilitation.
PhD Thesis
PhD by Alexander Harrison 2020
Cardiac Rehabilitation NACR work listed in:
NHS long term plan.
Cardiac Rehabilitation NACR work listed in:
NICE Impact Report: CVD management.
Authorship in print
NACR published chapter in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation in Practice
Presentation (ppt)
A joint programme set up in 2015 by BACPR and NACR with the aim to assess standards being met and drive service delivery.
Audio Presentation
Relationship between employment and mental health outcomes following cardiac rehabilitation.
Education
University of York
University of York, completed my Msc and PhD.
Achieved Msc Health Research. Improved my own research skills, scientific writing and knowledge. Completed a 100 credit dissertation on Volume-outcome relationships, which has lead to my current employment with the NACR working as a Data Analyst and Health Service researcher.
University of Hull
University of Hull, achieved BSc Hons Biology. Free elective in first year – learned how to scuba dive, progressed to advanced open water qualification. Second year I took part in Hull children’s mentoring, where I took children out of their normal classroom and gained a wider understanding of life. Third year field trip included group research methods and team building.
King James's School
King James School, 2003-2010, gained experience in volunteering, leadership through helping in classrooms, and primary school, Prefect. 16 GCSEs and 3 A levels. Sports – basketball, rugby, tennis and athletics.
