RESUMO
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 post-coronary 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 ≥ 150 min/week. Subjectively, 56% of CABG and 38% of HF patients reported meeting PA recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Few patients in the current study met PA 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 recommendations.
