Greater physical activity is associated with better cognitive function in heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
Nearly 6 million Americans have heart failure (HF), up to 80% of which exhibit cognitive deficits on testing. Physical inactivity is common in HF, yet little is known about the possible contribution of physical inactivity to cognitive dysfunction in this population.


METHODS
Older adults with HF (N = 93; Mage = 68.5 years, 33.7% women) completed neuropsychological testing, as well as cardiac and physical activity assessment as part of a larger protocol. HF severity was measured via impedance cardiography. Physical activity was assessed via an Actigraph accelerometer and operationalized using daily step count and time engaged in moderate-vigorous activity (minutes/day).


RESULTS
Linear regression analyses controlling for sex, high blood pressure, diabetes, depressive symptomatology, and HF severity showed that greater physical activity (both step count and minutes spent in moderate-vigorous activity) was associated with better executive function/attention, processing speed, and scores on a screening measure of cognition.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that physical activity is an independent predictor of cognitive function in persons with HF. Future work is needed to clarify the mechanisms by which physical activity benefits cognitive function in HF and determine whether interventions to promote physical activity can attenuate cognitive decline over time.
Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
Krysten K
KK
Fulcher
Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
Michael L
ML
Alosco
Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
Lindsay
L
Miller
Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
Mary Beth
MB
Spitznagel
University of Florida.
Ronald
R
Cohen
Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University.
Naftali
N
Raz
University of Georgia.
Lawrence
L
Sweet
Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin.
Lisa H
LH
Colbert
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Richard
R
Josephson
Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
Joel
J
Hughes
Summa Health System.
Jim
J
Rosneck
Department of Psychology, Kent State University.
John
J
Gunstad
D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests