Changes in Physical Activity Levels in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome between the First and Third Decades of the 21St Century

Abstract

Sedentary lifestyle and obesity increase the risk of coronary disease (CAD). The aims of this prospective study were to estimate the trends in physical activity (PA) level, accuracy of the Baecke’s/LRC-PA questionnaires, and trends in obesity parameters (body mass index-BMI/ waist-to-hip ratio-WHR) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the last two decades. We grouped 209 patients with ACS (UAP-unstable angina, STEMI-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, NSTEMI-non STEMI) by year of admission (Group 2002-05/Group 2017) and compared them by the levels of PA (Baecke’s/LRC-PA questionnaires) and obesity parameters (BMI, WHR). Group 2017 had higher WHR (1.02 vs. 0.97) and leisure PA index (LI) (3.00 vs. 2.50), as well as less high and very low activity patients (P<0.05). Patients with UAP/STEMI had higher WHR in 2017 (1.02 vs. 0.96, 1.02 vs. 0.99, respectively) (P<0.05) and had lower LI in 2002-05 (2.50 vs. 3.25, 2.75 vs. 3.50, respectively) (P<0.05). In conclusion, leisure PA and WHR was increased in the study period both in patients with ACS and in the general population. We emphasize the usage of more precise methods for evaluation of PA and obesity (Baecke’s/Four-point LRC-PA questionnaires, WHR), and that only increased PA with dietary changes leads to reduction of central obesity and risk of ACS.

Keywords

• Physical Activity
• Acute Coronary Syndrome
• Anthropometric Parameters
• Obesity
• Sedentary Lifestyle