Monitoring physical activity after a cardiovascular event: what is ‘fit’ for purpose?

Abstract

n the September issue of European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, Lavie and colleagues discussed how physical activity across the lifespan is a cost-effective strategy that must be implemented globally to improve overall health, functional capability, longevity and quality of life.1 At the same time, they acknowledge the challenges with encouraging people to become and to remain physically active.

In addition to the known benefits of being and staying physically active and reducing sedentary time for disease prevention,2–4 physical activity is a critical component in the care and recovery of patients following a cardiovascular event, such as stroke.5,6 Exercise therapy can have positive effects on depressive symptoms, emotional well-being, cognition, executive functioning and memory, balance, mobility, bone health, walking ability, upper extremity muscle strength, functional capacity, the ability to perform activities of daily living, and quality of life.6,7