Association between physical activity performed at different intensities and cardiovascular health in patients with peripheral artery disease: an observational study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association between the time spent in sedentary behavior and physical activity of different intensities with cardiovascular health in men and women with peripheral artery disease. Methods: Two hundred and sixty patients with peripheral artery disease and claudication symptoms (65.7% men; 66±1 years; ankle brachial index 0.57±0.18) were evaluated. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using an accelerometer. Physical activity was classified into light and moderate-vigorous intensities. The cardiovascular outcomes included blood pressure (oscillometric method), cardiac autonomic modulation (heart rate variability), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity). Results: Women spent more time engaged in light physical activity than men (341±14 min/day versus 306±9 min/day; p=0.040, respectively). There was no significant difference in the time spent on sedentary behavior and moderate-vigorous physical activity. Women had a higher systolic blood pressure (p=0.025), higher augmentation index (p<0.001), and lower sympathovagal balance (p=0.047) than men. Pulse wave velocity was only negatively associated with light physical activity (β= -4.66; 95%CI= -8.57; -0.76) in men. Light and moderate-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior were not associated with other cardiovascular outcomes. Conclusion: Higher levels of light physical activity were associated with lower arterial stiffness in men with peripheral artery disease.

Keywords

• Peripheral arterial disease
• Intermittent claudication
• Sedentary behavior
• Accelerometry
• Cardiovascular diseases