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Understanding physical activity and exercise behaviors in patients with heart failure
Nancy M Albert1, Jennifer Forney2, Ellen Slifcak2
1Office of Research and Innovation, Nursing Institute, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, OH, USA; George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care
|September 21, 2014
Summary
Patients with chronic heart failure (HF) have complex views on physical activity. Understanding these perceptions, including fears and support needs, is key to improving exercise adherence in HF self-care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
Background:
- Physical activity and exercise are crucial components of self-care for patients with chronic heart failure (HF).
- However, the specific perceptions and experiences of patients regarding physical activity remain inadequately understood.
- This gap in knowledge hinders the development of effective, patient-centered exercise interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and understand the multifaceted perceptions of physical activity and exercise among individuals diagnosed with chronic heart failure.
- To identify the key themes influencing patients' engagement with and adherence to physical activity recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews were conducted with ambulatory adults diagnosed with chronic heart failure.
- Interview data were meticulously transcribed, systematically categorized, and analyzed to develop overarching themes.
- The study focused on understanding patient perspectives rather than objective physiological measures.
Main Results:
- Key themes included a lack of patient knowledge and insufficient guidance from physicians, fear influencing activity levels, life's demands interfering with exercise, the impact of social support quality, emotional connections to exercise, and a disconnect between perceived value and actual motivation.
- Physicians often failed to provide specific recommendations on exercise parameters (dose, duration, warm-up/cool-down) and potential effects.
- Self-confidence and the perceived value of physical activity did not consistently translate into motivated action.
Conclusions:
- Patient perceptions of physical activity in chronic heart failure are complex and multi-dimensional.
- Fears, emotional responses, the prioritization of exercise, and the nature of social support significantly influence adherence to physical activity.
- Addressing these nuanced perceptions is vital for enhancing exercise participation and improving outcomes in heart failure management.
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