Measured Physical Activity and 30-Day Rehospitalization in Heart Failure Patients

BACKGROUND Patients hospitalized with decompensated heart failure are at high risk for readmission within 30 days of discharge. Since physical inactivity is associated with increased health care utilization in other diseases, it may predict rehospitalization in heart failure. METHODS In a single-center, prospective study, physical activity was measured following hospital discharge using an accelerometer on the wrist. We then related this activity to the 30-day all-cause rehospitalization rate in heart failure. Each minute of activity was dichotomized into higher or lower intensity, based on a threshold of 3000 vector magnitude units. Counts above this threshold corresponded to a higher level of physical activity. Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to relate the activity group to 30-day readmissions. RESULTS Ninety-five patients admitted to a heart failure unit were screened; 61 met inclusion criteria and provided consent. Fifty patients were evaluated. Forty-six percent were male, mean age was 71 ± 15 years, and 46% had left ventricular ejection fraction