Promoting physical activity in patients with cardiovascular disease during the covid-19 confinement

ABSTRACT

At present, sedentary behavior and physical inactivity have been identified as some of the most important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Their prevalence has grown in recent years, mainly due to their increase in the sedentary time, with reduced participation in active transport and prolonged leisure time unrelated to physical activity (PA). Despite the wide knowl-edge on the pleiotropic benefits of PA, the degree of adher-ence to these healthier lifestyles is notoriously low in the general population. During the current pandemic of coro-navirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), various high-risk popu-lations have been recognized, such as elderly people and patients with cancer, cardiometabolic, respiratory or other chronic disorders. Although various management plans have been designed for the pandemic, their impact on this situa-tion on cardiovascular health has been overlooked. Although the quarantine measures have been effective in controlling the propagation of COVID-19, they may have significant col-lateral aspects in other areas, especially in patients with high cardiovascular risk. In this scenario, maintaining adequate PA levels has become a veritable challenge of adaptability for both, patients and medical personnel. It is essential that both parts work in ensemble to design effective strategies for each particular case, aiming to grant the protective effects of PA during this emergency period.