Decrease in accelerometer assessed physical activity during the first-year post-myocardial infarction: a prospective...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical activity is crucial for recovery after myocardial infarction (MI).
• Understanding physical activity patterns and influencing factors post-MI is essential for patient management.
• The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted physical activity levels in cardiac patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine physical activity levels in the first year after MI.
• To investigate differences in physical activity based on age, cardiac rehabilitation, and pandemic restrictions.
• To explore associations between physical activity changes and blood pressure/lipid levels.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study (2017-2023) with 178 MI patients.
• Physical activity measured by accelerometers at 2 and 12 months post-MI.
• Analysis of sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous activity, alongside blood pressure and lipid measurements.

Main Results:

• Patients spent most time sedentary (72%), with minimal moderate (8%) and vigorous (1%) activity.
• Sedentary time increased, and moderate-intensity activity decreased at 12 months post-MI.
• Higher moderate-intensity activity was observed in younger patients and during COVID-19 restrictions; a positive association found between physical activity intensity changes and HDL-cholesterol.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity, particularly moderate-to-vigorous intensity, is insufficient post-MI and declines over the first year.
• There is a clear need for enhanced interventions to promote sustained physical activity in MI survivors.
• Addressing barriers and leveraging motivators are key to improving long-term physical activity adherence.