Exercise and physical activity patterns in patients with acute myocardial infarction

The primary goal of this study is to assess exercise and physical activity patterns in acute myocardial infarction. Our first aim is to assess whether infarct size is influenced by exercise patterns prior to and during onset of myocardial infarction. Our second aim is to get insight in possible changes in physical activity patterns after myocardial infarction over time and the influence on survival, recurrence rate and quality of life. Therefore we will conduct a prospective observational cohort study in 200 adult patients. The earlier mentioned endpoints will be assessed during follow up.

- Aim 1: regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and is associated with better survival. Earlier studies show that exercise might also have a direct positive effect on myocardial tissue, probably due to ischaemic preconditioning. We hypothesize that exercise influences infarct size in patients suffering from myocardial infarction.

- Aim 2: little is known about the influence of physical activity patterns in the acute phase of myocardial infarction on the clinical course and survival. Additionally it is unknown whether physical activity patterns change after myocardial infarction and we do not know how this develops over time. This study provides insight in exercise and physical activity patterns after myocardial infarction and possible changes over time. Based on these findings we are able to optimize cardiac rehabilitation, which hopefully leads to better survival and quality of life, and a lower recurrence rate.

Baseline/admission (patient characteristics)

1-7 days post-myocardial infarction (interview + activity monitor)

7 days after discharge (activity monitor + questionnaire)

6 months after discharge (questionnaire)

Follow-up 1-3 years (mortality, readmissions, recurrent myocardial infarction)

NA