Stage of readiness for planned activity reveals heart failure patients at higher risk - Open Journal of Preventive Medicine

OJPM > Vol.3 No.1, February 2013

Stage of readiness for planned activity reveals heart failure patients at higher risk ()

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Download as PDF (Size: 414KB) PP. 118-127

DOI: 10.4236/ojpm.2013.31015 3,287 Downloads 5,666 Views Citations

Author(s)

Tracie R. Parish, Maria Kosma, Michael A. Welsch

Affiliation(s)

Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, USA.
Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA.

ABSTRACT

Few individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF) engage in regular physical activity. PURPOSE: 1) To examine stage of readiness for planned physical activity; 2) To compare estimated self-reported daily physical activity and exercise tolerance/capacity by stage of readiness; and 3) To determine the association between stages of readiness for planned physical activity, self-reported daily physical activity and exercise tolerance, in CHF patients. METHODS: One-hundred eleven CHF patients (Age: 53 ± 14 yrs; New YorkHeart Association class II/III) participated. Each participant’s stage of readiness for planned physical activity was assessed. Patients completed a self-reported daily physical activity questionnaire, and performed a six-minute walk test. RESULTS: Average left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 30.12% ± 10.72%. Twelve patients were in Precontemplation (PC),29 inContemplation (C),30 inPreparation (PR),20 inAction (A), and20 inMaintenance (M). There were no differences in age and LVEF between stages. Those classified in A/M performed more minutes in activities > 3 METs. Average 6MWD was 349 ± 118 meters, with significant differences between stages (PC, C < PR < A < M; p < 0.01). Thirty-four of 71 patients in preaction scored < 300 meters versus only 3 and 5 of 40 from A/M. CONCLUSION: The majority of CHF patients are in pre-action stages of readiness for adoption of planned physical activity. Patients in pre-action are engaged in less daily activity and have lower exercise tolerance/capacity than those in A/M. Lower exercise tolerance/capacity suggests these patients are more fragile and at greater risk for complications and early mortality. Greater emphasis should be placed on strategies to move patients toward A/M.

KEYWORDS

Chronic Heart Failure; Transtheoretical Model; Daily Activity; Exercise Tolerance

Share and Cite:

Parish, T. , Kosma, M. and Welsch, M. (2013) Stage of readiness for planned activity reveals heart failure patients at higher risk. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3, 118-127. doi: 10.4236/ojpm.2013.31015.

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