Simple Methods of Assessing Physical Activity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

This article reviews simple, noninvasive ways to assess physical activity in patients with chronic heart failure. Six- or 9-minute walk tests appear to be useful not only for selecting patients with relatively advanced heart failure but also as prognostic screening tests. The Master-Borg test (Master's two-step testing and 10-point Borg scale) is useful for assessing symptoms during exercise. Weekly pedometer counts show that the level of activity in patients with heart failure is dramatically less than in healthy controls. Physical activity can be determined directly by an ambulatory calorie counter that measures step scores and energy expenditure using specific accelerometers. Careful clinical interviewing regarding symptoms, together with submaximal exercise testing and use of motion sensors, are recommended as useful, simple, noninvasive alternatives for assessing physical activity in this patient population.