Predictors of Walking Activity in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure Equipped With a Step Counter: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Physical activity has been shown to decrease cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Walking, a simple physical activity which is an integral part of daily life, is a feasible and safe activity for patients with heart failure (HF). A step counter, measuring daily walking activity, might be a motivational factor for increased activity. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between walking activity and demographical and clinical data of patients with HF, and whether these associations could be used as predictors of walking activity. Methods: A total of 65 patients with HF from the Future Patient Telerehabilitation (FPT) program were included in this study. The patients monitored their daily activity using a Fitbit step counter for 1 year. This monitoring allowed for continuous and safe data transmission of self-monitored activity data. Results: A higher walking activity was associated with younger age, lower New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, and higher ejection fraction (EF). There was a statistically significant correlation between the number of daily steps and NYHA classification at baseline (P=.01), between the increase in daily steps and EF at baseline (P<.001), and between the increase in daily steps and improvement in EF (P=.005). The patients’ demographic, clinical, and activity data could predict 81% of the variation in daily steps. Conclusions: This study demonstrated an association between demographic, clinical, and activity data for patients with HF that could predict daily steps. A step counter can thus be a useful tool to help patients monitor their own physical activity