Investigation analysis of physical activity status in patients with acute myocardial infarction during recovery period

Abstract

Objective To investigate the physical activity status in patients with acute myocardial infarction during recovery period and its influencing factors. Methods Patients at 3 to 6 months after acute myocardial infarction were enrolled in our study by convenience sampling method. They accepted questionnaire survey with international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and a self-developed questionnaire about sexual life. Results Forms of patients′ physical activities mainly presented as walking and moderate intensity activities whose medians of total metabolic equivalent (MET) of physical activity for 1 week were 1 386.00 and 410.40. A few of patients attended intensity activities whose median total MET of physical activity for 1 week was 0.00. Patients took part in physical activities mainly focusing on leisure time, transportation activities and housework. Patients lacked physical activity above moderate intensity. There was no significant relationship between physical activity level and BMI, heart function at discharge (Killip classification), ejection fraction (EF)(P>0.05). There were significant differences in patients′ total energy consumption of walking, physical activity for 1 week, moderate intensity activities and housework according to cardiac functional grading at present (P<0.05). However, there were still some patients who exercised little with good cardiac functions and normal EF values. Physical activities in patients with depression were less than that in patients with non depression (P<0.05). Lastly, sexual life of most patients had not restored. Conclusions There were not enough physical activities in patients with acute myocardial infarction during recovery period. Lack of knowledge, low self confidence and excessive caution may be the main influencing factors. Individualized health-education and nursing intervention are needed to promote the healthy behaviors. Key words: Myocardial infarction; Recovery period; Depression; Physical activity; Activities of daily living