Prevalence of physical activity levels and perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity among Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease: A cross-sectional study

Network analysis of perception of exercise benefits/barriers and kinesiophobia among patients with cardiovascular diseases

BACKGROUND

Perception of exercise benefits/barriers and kinesiophobia are important predictors of low exercise behaviors in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Little is known about the complex intercorrelations between different components of perception of exercise benefits/barriers and kinesiophobia.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the central components of kinesiophobia and to explore the interconnectedness between perception of exercise benefits/barriers and kinesiophobia.

METHODS

A total of 258 patients with CVDs were recruited in this study. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart and the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale were used to assess kinesiophobia and perception of exercise benefits/barriers. R software was used to visualize the networks and analyze the centrality of the networks. The index "expected influence" and "bridge expected influence" were employed to identify the central components and the bridge components of the networks.

RESULTS

In the item network of kinesiophobia, three items ("It is really not safe for a person in my condition to be physically active/exercise", "I cannot do the same things as others because there is a too big risk that I will get heart problems", and "If I tried to be physically active/exercise my heart problem would increase") had the highest expected influence. In the exercise benefits/barriers-kinesiophobia network, the dimension of physical exertion had the highest positive bridge expected influence, while psychological outlook had highest negative value.

CONCLUSIONS

The three central components of kinesiophobia and the two bridge components (perception exercise barriers of physical exertion and perception exercise benefits of psychological outlook) should be targeted in specific intervention for relieving kinesiophobia and further promoting exercise behaviors.

The Pandemic of Coronary Heart Disease in the Middle East and North Africa: What Clinicians Need to Know

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). While the prevention, diagnosis, and management of CHD have been detailed in international guidelines, we aimed in this review to quantify the pandemic of CHD in the MENA region and highlight regional patient characteristics, clinical challenges, and future directions to optimize CHD care in the region.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients with CHD in the MENA feature younger age at presentation and worse prognosis in women. Despite the high burden of CHD risk factors, many of these factors remain underrecognized, undertreated, and uncontrolled. Additionally, CHD care is hampered by poor patient awareness, inefficient preventive strategies, and limited access to guideline-recommended therapeutics. All stakeholders involved in healthcare should work together to develop and execute strategies aimed at tackling the burden of CHD in the MENA.