Factors Associated with Objectively Assessed Physical Activity Levels of Heart Failure Patients

Abstract

Aim: To determine the level of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in patients with heart failure (HF), and to assess the association between MVPA and patient sociodemographic, exercise capacity, and health status factors. Methods: Baseline MVPA data was available in 247 HF patients with 7-day wrist-worn accelerometry from two randomized controlled trials. Associations between MVPA and patient sociodemographic, exercise capacity, and health status factors were assessed using univariate and multivariable linear regression models. Results: 247 patients (28% female, mean age 71 ± 10 years) with HF with reduced ejection fraction (n=198) and preserved ejection fraction (n=49) were included in the analysis. Average MVPA was 283. 3 min/week and ranged widely from a minimum of 0 mins/week to maximum of 2626. 7 mins/week (standard deviation: 404. 1 mins/week). 111 (45%) of patients had a level of PA that met current guidelines of at least 150 minutes/week of MVPA. Multivariable regression showed patient’s age, body mass index, employment status, smoking status, New York Heart Association class, NT-proBNP and exercise capacity to be strongly associated (p<0. 001) with the level of MVPA (p<0. 001). Conclusion: Whilst 45% of HF patients had objectively measured levels of MVPA that met current PA recommendations, we observed a wide range in the level of MVPA across this patient sample. As a number of factors were found to be associated with MVPA our findings provide important information for future interventions aiming to increase MVPA in HF patients.