Physical activity in daily life in heart failure patients living in two European countries, Volume 17, Issue Supplement S1

Aims: Exercise is recognized as important in patients with heart failure (HF). It is unclear if there are differences in physical activity between European Countries, therefore the aims of this study were to -Assess physical activity levels in HF patients, -Describe the different types of physical activity of HF patients -Explore differences between patients from Spain and Sweden Method: The short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (sIPAQ) was used to assess the level of physical activity during the previous week. The sIPAQ contains seven items to identify the frequency and duration of light, moderate, and vigorous PA, as well as inactivity during the past week. Data was collected during April-July 2014 in Swedish and Spanish HF patients. Differences were analysed using Pearson’s chi-square or Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Population: 548 Spanish and 154 Swedish HF patients 29% female, mean age 69±12 years, 75% NYHA class II/19% NYHA III No differences were found in gender, age NYHA class between the two countries Patients in Sweden compared to Spanish patients: Had a higher mean physical activity level Did more vigorous activities, like lifting, digging, aerobics, or fast bicycling Did more moderate activities like carrying light loads, bicycling at a regular pace, or doubles tennis. Did less walking (walking at work and at home, walking to travel from place to place, and any other walking that might be done solely for recreation, sport, exercise, or leisure) Conclusions: Despite that most of the patients were in NYHA class II and not symptomatic even at moderate to high level of activity, one third of them had a low physical activity level in their daily life. We found differences in the kind of physical activities between Spain and Sweden, which could be due to cultural and regional differences. Specific differences and consequences need to be further explored.