Objectively measured physical inactivity identifies a cardiopulmonary heart failure phenotype in U.S. adults
L Alrubaye, H A Alkarawi, S A Alkoutami, H Alrubaye, J Peltz, S R Yalamanchili, S A SarfrazAbstract
Background
Exercise intolerance is a hallmark of heart failure (HF), yet population-based studies largely rely on self-reported physical activity. The relationship between objectively measured physical inactivity and HF remains incompletely characterized.
Methods
We analyzed adults from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who completed continuous 7-day accelerometer monitoring. Physical activity was quantified using average daily step counts and categorized into quartiles. Physical inactivity was defined as the lowest activity quartile. Heart failure was identified by self-reported physician diagnosis. Survey-weighted logistic regression assessed the association between physical inactivity and prevalent HF, adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. Sensitivity analyses included additional adjustment for race/ethnicity.
Results
Among 4,962 participants, 180 (3.6%) reported HF. Individuals in the lowest activity quartile had significantly higher odds of HF compared with those in higher quartiles (adjusted OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.09–5.35). A graded increase in HF prevalence was observed across decreasing activity quartiles. The association remained consistent after additional adjustment for race/ethnicity.
Conclusions
Objectively measured physical inactivity is independently associated with prevalent HF in U.S. adults. These findings support physical inactivity as a marker of a cardiopulmonary HF phenotype and highlight the value of objective functional assessment in HF risk stratification.physical_inactivity_heart_failureFor image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.