Are heart failure and coronary artery bypass surgery patients meeting physical activity guidelines?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe subjective and objective physical activity (PA) levels of two groups of cardiovascular patients who were either postcoronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or diagnosed with heart failure (HF). Design: A descriptive comparative design was used for this secondary analysis of data from two prior studies. Methods: A convenience sample of 62 outpatients was used to examine PA objectively (Actiheart accelerometer) and subjectively (PA interview). Findings:Objectively, 33%of CABG patients and no HF patients met PA recommendations of .150minutes per week. Subjectively, 56% of CABG and 38% of HF patients reported meeting PA guidelines recommendations. Conclusions: Few patients in this study met PA guidelines recommendations. Clinical Relevance: Innovative rehabilitation nursing practice strategies are needed (e.g., use of activity trackers, making PA a vital sign) to assist patients in gaining the knowledge and skills to be more active and adhere to PA guidelines recommendations.