Abstract 19098: Physical Activity is Associated With Better Quality of Life and Perceived Health

Abstract

Background: People living with coronary heart disease (CHD) experience decline in physical and social functioning, contributing to poor quality of life (QOL) and perceived health. Evidence shows that physical activity in the adult population is associated with improved QOL and better perceived health, but little is known about its benefits for community-dwelling older adults with chronic CHD. Hypothesis: Engagement in the self-care activity of physical activity is strongly related to better perceived health and QOL. Objective: Describe the association between physical activity and perceived health and QOL among older adults with long-standing CHD (>20 years). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 20-year follow-up survey data were collected from 126 survivors from the Heart and Soul prospective cohort study of people living with CHD. To identify variables associated with perceived health and QOL, we utilized nested ordinal logistic regression models (four-level model). Results: The mean age for 126 surveyed survivors was 80.9 ± 9.1 years; 71.8% (n=94) were males, less than half being physically active (47.3%, n=62) and 23.7% had heart failure. Analysis adjusted for socioeconomic status (SES), physical activity, and activities of daily living (ADL) revealed a positive association between physical activity and perceived health ( aOR =2.316, p =.023) and a strong association with QOL ( aOR =2.070, p =.046). The QOL adjusted model found heart failure diagnosis was associated with lower QOL ( aOR= .431, p <.033). Conclusions: Physical activity was positively associated with perceived health and QOL among older adults with CHD, even after adjusting for SES, physical activity levels, and ADL suggesting that engagement in self-care activities such as physical activity is associated improve the overall perceived health and QOL of individuals with CHD. Furthermore, the study highlighted the impact of heart failure on QOL, even after adjusting for physical activity. These findings underscore the need for interventions and programs to promote physical activity among older adults with CHD and targeted interventions in managing heart failure.