Increasing physical activity most important for heart disease patients

A recent study has revealed that people who are physically active live longer than those who are not. Sustained and consistent physical activity over time was associated with substantially lower mortality risk from coronary heart disease.

 A recent observational study based on data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), was recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Trine Moholdt, researcher in Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, 

The study revealed that people who are physically active live longer than those who are not. Sustained and consistent physical activity over time was associated with substantially lower mortality risk from coronary heart disease.

Moholdt commented: "The clinical guidelines for heart disease patients currently include having normal weight and being physically active. I would put more emphasis on the exercise aspect. When it comes to physical activity, you have to do what gets you in better shape. That means training with high intensity. Do something that makes you breathe hard, so that it's hard to talk, but not so hard that you can't do it for four to five minutes."

Activ8rlives would also support the importance of increasing physical activity following cardiovascular disease and emergency admissions. This was supported by the results of the Activ8rlives Active+programmes that combines group exercise classes, health coaching, peer support, PAM (Patient Activation Measure) monitoring and teaching patients how to use Activ8rlives self-care monitoring technology to track their health and wellbeing.

  • 15% improvement in Patient Activation Measure (PAM) score
  • 7% improvement in mobility
  • 3% improvement in pain management
  • 5% improvement in their overall health score
  • Qualitative reports show that participants enjoy the sessions, value the peer support, the security of their vital signs being self-monitored and feeling more in control of their health.
  • These individuals are at high risk of requiring earlier use of adult social care services through increasing activation and self-care, we can delay the need for this intervention by up to 4 years, (delaying costs per person of £115 - £232 a week in a social care setting).


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