Funding boost for NI heart patients’ active lifestyle research

Led by Dr Nicole Blackburn, the project aims to keep coronary heart disease patients engaged in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after surgery or heart-related illness.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide,

Researchers on the Active Belfast study will split the participants into two groups – with one of the groups undergoing a lifestyle change – and measuring the patients’ physical activity using activity monitors at the beginning, throughout and after the study.

Height, weight and blood pressure will all be measured, as well as monitoring of physical and mental health.

The researchers will then analyse the difference in physical activity between the lifestyle change group and the control group after six months.

It is hoped the results will encourage cardiac patients to stay physically active for longer and improve their health.

Dr Blackburn said: “Exercise and lifestyle changes play a massive role in reducing the risk of heart disease, and it is vital that patients undergo cardiac rehabilitation after surgery or heart-related illness.

“We hope that this project will help to inspire people to continue with their CR, and also help to change attitudes towards how important this kind of care can be.”

She added: “Increased use of CR will not only help to improve patients’ quality of life, but help to reduce the strain on our health service by preventing the need for further medical intervention. We are very grateful to Heart Research UK for supporting this research.”