Assessment of Physical Activity Levels in Patients With Cardiac Arrhythmias

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement that results in energy expenditure. Athletes are individuals who engage in planned, structured physical exercise under guidance, with specific goals and competitive objectives. For this population, pre-participation cardiovascular screening is well established, aiming to identify cardiac conditions that may lead to sudden death and/or cardiovascular events. However, athletes represent a minority of patients attending cardiac arrhythmia outpatient clinics. Most patients are either sedentary or engage in-or wish to engage in-some form of physical activity, but are often discouraged for various reasons, leading to increased physical inactivity. This occurs despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity across all age groups and various forms of heart disease, including improved quality of life, reduced depression and anxiety, and enhanced overall well-being. Despite existing recommendations, the prevalence of physically active individuals among patients followed at the Arrhythmia Outpatient Clinic of the Heart Institute (InCor) of the Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, remains unknown. Understanding these factors through such mapping may contribute to improved clinical management and potentially enhance the quality of life of patients with cardiac arrhythmias.