Article

Regular exercise lowers the risk of cardiovascular death in coronary
heart disease (CHD) patients. We aimed to investigate regular exercise behaviour
and intention in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression in CHD patients
across Europe. DESIGN: This study was based on a multicentre cross-sectional
survey. METHODS: In the EUROpean Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention
through Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE) III survey, 8966 CHD patients
<80 years of age from 22 European countries were interviewed on average 15 months
after hospitalisation. Whether patients exercised or intended to exercise
regularly was assessed using the Stages of Change questionnaire in 8330 patients.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and
Depression Scale. Total physical activity was measured by the International
Physical Activity Questionnaire in patients from a subset of 14 countries.
RESULTS: Overall, 50.3% of patients were not intending to exercise regularly,
15.9% were intending to exercise regularly, and 33.8% were exercising regularly.
Patients with severe symptoms of depression less frequently exercised regularly
than patients with symptoms in the normal range (20.2%, 95% confidence interval
(CI) 14.8-26.8 vs 36.7%, 95% CI 29.8-44.2). Among patients not exercising
regularly, patients with severe symptoms of depression were less likely to have
an intention to exercise regularly (odds ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.46-0.85). Symptoms
of anxiety did not affect regular exercise intention. In sensitivity analysis,
results were consistent when adjusting for total physical activity. CONCLUSIONS:
Lower frequency of regular exercise and decreased likelihood of exercise
intention were observed in CHD patients with severe depressive symptoms. Severe
symptoms of depression may preclude CHD patients from performing regular exercise.
CI - (c) The European Society of Cardiology 2016.

Langue : ANGLAIS