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Immediate and Intermediate-Term Effects of Disease Mitigation Measures on Activity Levels as Measured by Implantable Cardiac Devices

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Abstract

Routine activities of daily living are known to effect overall wellbeing, cardiovascular health, and quality of life. A decrease in daily activity level is recognized as a contributing factor to increasing rates of obesity and a decline in overall health. This study sought to evaluate the effect of disease mitigation strategies on activity level by evaluating changes in recorded cardiac parameters as measured by implantable cardiac devices for a period of time prior to and following implementation of COVID-19 mitigation efforts in Arizona. A retrospective cohort study of cardiac device data from January 1, 2019–December 31, 2020 was performed. Linear mixed-effects models with restricted maximum likelihood estimation were utilized to test for the fixed effects of Year, day, and the interaction between them. A significant decrease in daily activity minutes, daytime heart rates, and heart rate variability coincident with the initiation of disease mitigation strategies was observed. An increase in nighttime heart rates also coincided with initiation of disease mitigation strategies. These effects were noted to persist through the end of the study period. Implementation of statewide disease mitigation strategies resulted in both immediate and intermediate-term effects on activity levels, day and nighttime heart rates trends, and heart rate variability in patients with implanted cardiac devices. These data may serve useful in counseling patients regarding the importance of activity, movement, and exercise to routine health and encourage a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Heart Care, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA

    Tiffany R. Hamilton, Bethany L. Sussman & Andrew L. Papez

  2. Neuroscience Research, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s, Phoenix Children’s, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Bethany L. Sussman

Authors
  1. Tiffany R. Hamilton
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  2. Bethany L. Sussman
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  3. Andrew L. Papez
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Contributions

TH conceptualized and designed the study, collected data, drafted the initial manuscript, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. BS designed the data collection instruments, carried out the initial analyses, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. AP conceptualized and designed the study, coordinated and supervised data collection, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Tiffany R. Hamilton.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose. No funds, grants, or other support was received for this research. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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Hamilton, T.R., Sussman, B.L. & Papez, A.L. Immediate and Intermediate-Term Effects of Disease Mitigation Measures on Activity Levels as Measured by Implantable Cardiac Devices. Pediatr Cardiol 45, 48–54 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-023-03307-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-023-03307-6

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