Maintaining a healthier, more active lifestyle after a cardiovascular event is challenging. While cardiac rehabilitation programmes help reduce sedentary time, previous research shows that these improvements often fade within three months. However, a new study from Radboud University Medical Center suggests that a short remote booster programme can significantly reduce sedentary time and increase light physical activity in chronic cardiovascular patients—both of which lower the risk of future heart-related complications.
Patients recovering from acute coronary syndrome often receive supervised exercise training as part of cardiac rehabilitation. During this period, they are motivated to adopt healthier habits, such as moving more and sitting less. Unfortunately, these lifestyle changes are difficult to sustain over time.
To address this challenge, physiologists at Radboudumc evaluated the impact of a lifestyle booster programme on daily activity levels two years after cardiac rehabilitation. The study involved 42 participants, half of whom continued with usual care, while the other half took part in a digital intervention designed to reduce sedentary time.
Participants in the booster programme used an app to track their daily sedentary time and received three coaching sessions via phone or digital communication.
Results showed that those in the booster programme reduced sedentary time by more than an hour per day and increased light physical activity by nearly an hour per day.
Using an accelerometer, study researchers found that coached participants sat significantly less and moved more. This suggests that a simple, fully remote booster programme can be an effective way to reinforce healthier habits.
The next step is to determine how long these benefits last and how frequently refresher programmes should be implemented to achieve lasting results.
Long-term lifestyle change is difficult. This intervention provides a straightforward way to help people stay active and reduce their risk of future cardiovascular events. Even for those with coronary artery disease, prevention is always better than cure.
Source: Radboud University Medical Center
Image Credit: Pixabay
