The association between self-reported exercise intensity and acute coronary syndrome in emergency department chest pain patients.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Regular exercise is thought to be protective against coronary artery disease. As a result, some physicians believe that the likelihood of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with acute chest pain is reduced in those who exercise regularly. We studied the association between self-reported frequency of exercising and the likelihood of ACS in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with chest pain.

METHODS: A multi-center prospective, descriptive, cohort study design was used in ED patients to determine whether the risk of ACS was reduced in patients who self-reported regular exercise.

RESULTS: There were 1093 patients enrolled. Median (interquartile range) age was 57 (48-67) years; 506 (45.7%) were female. ACS was diagnosed in 248 (22.7%) patients. Patients who did not exercise at least monthly were more likely to be diagnosed with ACS than those who did (129/466 [27.7%] vs. 119/627 [19.0%]; odds ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.23-2.17). After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, and prior history, limited exercise was still associated with ACS (adjusted odds ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.10-2.10). There was no apparent association between frequency and intensity of exercise and risk of ACS.

CONCLUSION: Although self-reported frequency of exercise was significantly associated with a decrease in ACS in ED patients with chest pain, it should not be used to exclude ACS in symptomatic ED patients.

Volume

44

Issue

1

First Page

17

Last Page

22

ISSN

0736-4679

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

23103065

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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