Heart intertwined with vines and a stream, symbolizing heart health, activity, and mental wellness.

Unlocking Heart Health: How Activity and Mindset Impact Your Well-being

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the critical role of physical activity and mental health in managing heart failure."

Heart failure is a chronic condition affecting millions, often accompanied by decreased physical activity and increased feelings of threat and anxiety. Recent studies highlight the importance of addressing not just the physical symptoms but also the psychological factors that influence patient outcomes.

Two studies presented at the HFSA Scientific Meeting shed light on critical aspects of heart failure management: the impact of physical activity on patients with wireless pulmonary artery (PA) pressure sensors and the role of depression in hospital readmission rates. These findings offer valuable insights for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike.

This article breaks down these studies, exploring how increased physical activity can improve well-being and how effectively managing depression can reduce hospital readmissions, ultimately empowering patients to take control of their heart health.

The Power of Movement: Wireless Sensors and Increased Activity

Heart intertwined with vines and a stream, symbolizing heart health, activity, and mental wellness.

A study investigated the effects of implanting a wireless PA pressure sensor on physical activity levels and perceived threat among heart failure patients. The researchers hypothesized that the sensor's presence would encourage increased activity and reduce anxiety surrounding the condition.

The study involved nine patients (55% female) who received a wireless PA pressure sensor. Their physical activity and perceptions of heart failure were measured using questionnaires before and one month after the implant. The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) assessed physical activity, while the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) measured the perceived threat of heart failure.

Baseline Correlation: Initial measurements revealed a negative correlation between activity levels and perceived threat, suggesting that more active patients felt less threatened by their condition.
Significant Increase in Activity: Follow-up assessments showed a significant increase in physical activity one month after the sensor implant.
No Change in Perceived Threat: While activity levels improved, there was no significant change in how patients perceived the threat of heart failure.

The results indicate that wireless PA pressure sensors can motivate heart failure patients to become more physically active. Although the perceived threat of the condition remained unchanged, the increase in activity suggests a positive step toward improved well-being. Future research should explore the long-term effects of this increased activity and its impact on quality of life.

The Depression Connection: Reducing Hospital Readmissions

Another study focused on the relationship between depression and hospital readmission rates among patients with acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS). Researchers aimed to determine if depression could predict 30-day readmission rates and length of stay.

The retrospective analysis included 2,017 patients admitted for AHFS, with 3.9% diagnosed with depression. The study revealed that patients with depression had significantly higher 30-day readmission rates compared to those without depression. This trend was particularly pronounced among female patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

These findings emphasize the importance of screening for and addressing depression in heart failure patients. Counseling and appropriate treatment for depression may significantly reduce hospital readmissions and improve overall outcomes. The study highlights the need for a holistic approach to heart failure management, considering both physical and mental health.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is a wireless PA pressure sensor and how does it help heart failure patients?

A wireless PA pressure sensor is implanted to monitor pulmonary artery pressure in heart failure patients. The goal is to encourage increased physical activity by providing patients and their healthcare providers with real-time data, potentially reducing anxiety and improving overall management of the condition. This is especially useful because initial measurements revealed a negative correlation between activity levels and perceived threat; suggesting that more active patients felt less threatened by their condition.

How is physical activity measured in heart failure patients, and what tool is used?

The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) is used to assess the physical activity levels of patients with heart failure. It measures a patient's ability to perform various daily activities, providing a quantitative score that reflects their functional capacity and overall physical well-being. In these studies, DASI scores are used to track changes in activity levels over time, especially after interventions like the implantation of a wireless PA pressure sensor.

What does the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) measure, and how is it relevant to heart failure?

The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) is used to evaluate how heart failure patients perceive their condition. It assesses various aspects of their illness perception, including the perceived threat, consequences, and personal control over heart failure. Although one study showed increased activity in patients with a wireless PA pressure sensor, there was no statistically significant change in the BIPQ score, indicating the need for additional interventions to improve patient's perception of threat in addition to physical activity.

How does depression affect heart failure patients, and what is its impact on hospital readmission rates?

Depression can significantly impact hospital readmission rates and length of stay for patients with acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS). Studies show that individuals experiencing depression are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. This highlights the importance of addressing mental health alongside physical health in managing heart failure to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Future studies could assess the relationship between addressing patient depression, increasing physical activity with an implanted wireless PA pressure sensor, and long term patient outcomes.

What are the key takeaways regarding activity, mindset, and overall heart health for people with heart failure?

Recent studies show that managing heart failure involves not only physical activity but also addressing mental health, particularly depression. While a wireless PA pressure sensor can motivate patients to increase their physical activity, effectively managing depression can reduce hospital readmissions. A holistic approach that integrates both physical and psychological interventions can significantly improve the well-being and outcomes for heart failure patients, empowering them to take control of their condition.