Abstract 3547: Are U.S. Adults with Heart Disease Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations?

Abstract

The benefits of physical activity on risk of cardiovascular disease have led to recommendations to increase its levels in patients with heart disease. We investigated the degree of compliance with national physical activity recommendations, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine as well as the U.S. Surgeon General, among U.S. adults with coronary heart disease (heart disease) in comparison with people without heart disease using data from 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Information on heart disease or physical activity was self-reported. Moderate physical activities were those that cause small increases in breathing or heart rate (e.g., brisk walking) while vigorous physical activities were those that cause large increases in breathing or heart rate (e.g., running). Total physical activity was defined as participation in either moderate or vigorous physical activity. A total of 297,145 participants aged 18 years or older were included in our analyses and 24,496 people had heart disease. The age-adjusted prevalence and the odds ratios (ORs) for meeting total, moderate or vigorous physical activity recommendations were calculated in people with or without heart disease. People with heart disease were less likely to engage in physical activity at recommended levels than those without heart disease (41%, 32% and 22% versus 49%, 37% and 29%, respectively, for meeting total, moderate or vigorous physical activity recommendations, P<0.01 for all). The unadjusted ORs for adults with heart disease who met total, moderate or vigorous physical activity were 0.61 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58–0.65], 0.76 (95% CI: 0.72–0.80), and 0.45 (95% CI: 0.42–0.49), respectively. These ORs were attenuated but remained significant after adjustment for demographic variables, or after further adjustment for diabetes status and limitations for physical activity performance [The ORs were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87–0.97), 0.95 (95% CI: 0.89–1.00) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81–0.95), respectively]. Our findings demonstrate the need for continuing efforts to promote physical activity in patients with heart disease who do not have limitations for performing physical activity.