Initiating and Continuing Long-Term Exercise in Heart Failure

Abstract

Background Exercise is a class 1A recommendation to improve the lives of patients with heart failure, yet less than one-third adhere to physical activity guidelines, and less than 3% attend cardiac rehabilitation. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gentle nonaerobic exercise on initial and long-term adherence in patients with heart failure. Methods We used a qualitative descriptive approach with qualitative content analysis to analyze previously recorded interview data collected as part of the 6-month GEtting iNTo Light Exercise–Heart Failure study and looked for trends in responses among our sample. Thematic statements, representing salient aspects of the participants' experiences, were created and supported by illustrative excerpts from the data. Results Twenty-two interviews were analyzed. Eight participants had ≥80% adherence, and the remaining 14 participants were super-adherers (>100% adherence). Super-adherers tended to be male and 65 years or older, and have no exercise for 3 months before the study, a body mass index ≥ 30, and poor to good Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores. Participants initially enrolled because they saw the program as an opportunity to improve a health issue and to exercise. Long-term adherence was facilitated by convenience, individualization, experiencing psychological and physical improvements, and peer fellowship. Conclusions The GEtting iNTo Light Exercise–Heart Failure study that used home-based gentle nonaerobic exercise had 64% of participants come more than was asked. It is imperative that clinicians incorporate what participants with heart failure have directly stated is important for their initiation and long-term adherence to exercise so that we can work toward bridging sedentary patients to the full exercise guidelines to reduce morbidity and mortality.