Physical Activity and Survival After an Acute Coronary Syndrome: Data From the ERICO Study

BACKGROUND: Due to enhancements in health care, the number of individuals who survive an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event is rising. In this population, the impact of physical activity on long-term survival is still a matter of debate. We aimed to analyze the association between the level of physical activity during the first 4 years of follow-up and survival. METHODS: We analyzed data from 692 patients admitted due to an ACS event in a community hospital in Brazil. Physical activity was assessed using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire at 30 days, 180 days, and yearly after the first event. Mortality data were obtained using phone contacts, medical records, and official death documents. We built time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models to analyze whether physical activity levels during follow-up were associated with survival. RESULTS: Our main sample had 280 (40.5%) women and a mean age of 62.6 (12.5) years. In all assessments, 50.8% to 74.9% of study participants had physical activity levels below recommendations for healthy individuals. Physical inactivity increased the risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-2.92). There was no statistically significant survival difference between insufficiently active and active participants. CONCLUSIONS: Many individuals who survive an ACS event have poor physical activity levels. Physical inactivity after an ACS event significantly increases the risk of death. Our findings provide additional support to reinforce, in clinical practice, the benefits of physical activity in individuals who survive an ACS event.