Arterial Stiffness and Physical Activity in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

PURPOSE: The link between arterial stiffness and physical activity remains unknown in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study aimed to assess the association between arterial stiffness and physical activity in patients with HFrEF. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with HFrEF (mean age: 61.40 ± 8.56 years) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Arterial stiffness was evaluated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Physical activity was objectively assessed with an accelerometer over 7 days. Physical activity intensity was classified based on the metabolic equivalents of task (MET) as light-intensity physical activity (LPA; 1.5-2.9 MET), moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA; 3.0-6.0 MET), and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA; >6.0 MET). RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between cfPWV and the time spent per week in LPA ( r = -0.478, P < .001), MPA ( r = -0.547, P < .001), total physical activity ( r = -0.579, P < .001), and step count ( r = -0.489, P < .001). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, and New York Heart Association functional class, the correlations remained significant. When patients were categorized into inactive, active, and highly active groups according to weekly moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (sum of MPA and VPA), there was a significant difference in cfPWV between the groups ( P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that LPA, MPA, total physical activity, and step count are independently associated with arterial stiffness in patients with HFrEF. Arterial stiffness is lower in patients who are active or highly active compared to those who are inactive.