Fatigue Tolerability and Physical Activity Post Myocardial Infarction or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

After a myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), early lifestyle changes coupled with pharmacologic therapies are essential to halt the progression of coronary heart disease and prevent recurrent cardiac events. One of the most effective lifestyle behaviors to affect secondary prevention after an MI or CABG is physical activity (PA), yet 30% of adults do not participate in any leisure time PA. Understanding the amount of fatigue a person can tolerate to participate in cardiac protective PA is essential in developing interventions to mitigate fatigue and increase PA post MI and CABG. The purpose of this project was to develop and test the feasibility of study protocols to examine fatigue tolerance (tolerability) and PA in those persons post MI and CABG. Phase I: All instruments were refined with the research team and piloted with a small sample (n=10) of cardiac rehabilitation attendees to assess clarity, utility, and willingness to complete. Phase II: Results were shared with the research team. After modifications to the study protocols, training and reliability tests with the research team was completed. The tools piloted were the demographic health form, the 3-item 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) for fatigue tolerability, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Pain Interference-Short Form 6b, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, accelerometer, and the hand grip strength test using the JAMAR dynamometer