Article

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are recommended to
increase physical activity to reduce cardiovascular risk. Vascular intervention
(surgery or angioplasty) treats the symptom (intermittent claudication), but not
the underlying cardiovascular disease. This study aims to explore the beliefs and
physical activity behavior of patients with PAD who have received vascular
intervention. METHODS: Twenty participants who had received a vascular
intervention for intermittent claudication between 6 months and 2 years
previously participated in semistructured interviews. The interviews explored
illness and treatment beliefs and walking behavior. Data were transcribed
verbatim and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Participants described a high level
of ongoing symptoms (particularly pain) in their legs, despite having received
vascular intervention. They viewed their illness as acute and treatable, and
believed that pain was an indication of walking causing damage. They controlled
their symptoms by avoiding walking and slowing their pace. Participants were
generally unaware of the causes of the disease and were unaware of their
increased risk of future cardiovascular health problems. There was a low level of
congruence between participant beliefs about their illness and the recommendation
to increase physical activity that may affect physical activity behavior.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that patients with PAD do not change physical
activity behavior after diagnosis and treatment, because they hold dysfunctional
and incongruous beliefs about PAD, treatment, and physical activity.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI