One in three cardiac arrest survivors struggle with physical activity months later
A major clinical trial found that 34% of heart attack survivors remain sedentary six months after their event, with obesity, mobility issues, and cognitive problems as key risk factors. The finding matters to hospitals and health systems designing post-cardiac care programs, as targeted rehabilitation for high-risk patients could improve long-term outcomes and reduce readmissions.
Originaltitel: Low physical activity level in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors with obesity, mobility problems and cognitive impairment: Results from the TTM2 trial
<p>Aims: To describe the level of physical activity 6 months after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and to explore potential risk factors of a low level of physical activity.</p><p>Methods: Post-hoc analyses of the international multicentre Targeted Hypothermia versus Targeted Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac arrest (TTM2) trial. At 6 months, survivors at 61 sites in Europe, Australia and New Zeeland were invited to a follow-up. The participants answered two questions on self-reported physical activity. Answers were categorized as a low, moderate, or high level of physical activity and further dichotomized into a low versus moderate/high level of physical activity. Potential risk factors for a low level of physical activity were collected and investigated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression.</p><p>Results: At 6 months, 807 of 939 (86%) OHCA survivors answered the two questions of physical activity; 34% reported a low, 44% moderate and 22% high level of physical activity. Obesity (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.10-2.77, p = 0.018), mobility problems by EuroQol 5 dimensions 5 levels (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.06-2.84, p = 0.029), and cognitive impairment by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.13-2.82, p = 0.013) were significantly associated with a low level of physical activity in the multivariable analysis.</p><p>Conclusion: One third of the OHCA survivors reported a low level of physical activity. Obesity, mobility problems, and cognitive impairment were associated with a low level of physical activity.</p>