A Self-Administered Gamified Mobile Application for Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease in Patients Following a Cardiac Event (MyHeartMate): Process Evaluation from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study reports the process evaluation of a randomized controlled trial of the MyHeartMate app for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Data were collected on engagement in the intervention group from the app platform logs and self-reported usage and via interviews for perspectives of usefulness and acceptability. Participants' ( = 194) data logs showed 80.

Current Practices and Attitudes of Cardiac Nurses Regarding Cognitive Screening in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but is often undetected and may affect recovery and secondary prevention uptake. Nurses play a crucial role providing care for patients with ACS and promoting secondary prevention.

Aim: This study aimed to explore current nursing practices and barriers regarding CI screening in patients with ACS.

Use of a leadless pacemaker in the management of swallow syncope: A case report.

A 41-year-old male presented with syncope whilst eating and was subsequently demonstrated to have recurrent symptomatic sinus pauses whilst swallowing. Following the exclusion of structural heart disease, he was diagnosed with swallow syncope, an uncommon variant of neurocardiogenic syncope. To avoid long-term complications of a transvenous pacemaker, the case was managed with a leadless pacemaker which resulted in complete resolution of symptoms.

Lower cardiac rehabilitation enrolment occurs in acute coronary syndrome patients who report low levels of physical activity at four weeks post-event: A prospective observational study using physical activity tracker data.

Background: Physical activity (PA) and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) attendance are important for recovery and prognosis following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, PA patterns early post-ACS are not well known.

Objectives: Investigate the level of PA at 4-weeks post-ACS and any potential associations with CR enrolment.

The effect of a game-based mobile app 'MyHeartMate' to promote lifestyle change in coronary disease patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Secondary prevention reduces coronary heart disease (CHD) progression. Traditional prevention programs including cardiac rehabilitation are under-accessed, which smartphone apps may overcome. To evaluate the effect of a game-based mobile app intervention (MyHeartMate) to improve cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle behaviours.

Age and Marital Status Predict Mild Cognitive Impairment During Acute Coronary Syndrome Admission: An Observational Study of Acute Coronary Syndrome Inpatients.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been reported after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but it is uncertain who is at risk, particularly during inpatient admission.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to explore the prevalence and cognitive domains affected in MCI during ACS admission and determine factors that identify patients most at risk of MCI.

Methods: Inpatients with ACS were consecutively recruited from 2 tertiary hospital cardiac wards and screened with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test.

Cognitive Function and the Relationship With Health Literacy and Secondary Prevention in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome at Early Discharge: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) may contribute to difficulties in understanding and implementing secondary prevention behavior change after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but the association is poorly understood.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of CI in patients 4 weeks post ACS and the association with health literacy and secondary prevention.

Methods: Patients with ACS who were free from visual deficits, auditory impairment, and dementia diagnoses were recruited and assessed 4 weeks post discharge for cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test), health literacy (Newest Vital Sign), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), physical activity (Fitbit Activity Tracker and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly), and medication knowledge and adherence.

Use of Videos by Health Care Professionals for Procedure Support in Acute Cardiac Care: A Scoping Review.

Background: Cardiology procedures are often life-saving and time-critical, but some are so infrequent that health care staff may have rarely encountered them in practice or need to refresh their skills rapidly. Videos demonstrating procedures have the potential to assist health care professionals and support safe patient care. This scoping review explores the research literature involving the use of video by health care professionals in hospitals.

Impact of hospitalisation on behavioural and physiological stress responses associated with cardiovascular risk in visiting family members.

Background: The hospitalisation of a patient in intensive care impacts the psychological health of family members, with a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms reported among families of critically ill patients. Understanding of the behavioural and physiological impact is limited and presents a new area of focus.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate behavioural and physiological stress responses of visiting family members following hospitalisation of their adult relative.

Predictors and outcomes of quality of life in elderly patients with heart failure.

Study Objective: This study aims to identify predictors of health related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with heart failure (HF) and assess whether HRQoL was a predictor of rehospitalisation and mortality, and if age influenced the findings.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Seven hospitals in the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.

Sensitivity and specificity of 5 min cognitive screening tests in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the Canadian Stroke Network (CSN) brief (5 min) screen composed of three items of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients during hospital admission, relative to the full MoCA and potential alternative combinations of other items.

Methods And Results: Participants were consecutively recruited during ACS admission and administered the MoCA before discharge. The three NINDS-CSN screen items were extracted, collated and compared to the full MoCA.

Comparison of Different Physical Activity Measures in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: A Prospective Study.

Concordant assessments of physical activity (PA) and related measures in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is essential for exercise prescription. This study compared exercise measurement from an in-person walk test; wearable activity tracker; and self-report at CR entry, completion (8-weeks) and follow-up (16-weeks). Forty patients beginning CR completed the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and wore Fitbit-Flex for four consecutive days including two weekend days.

Masters age football and cardiovascular risk.

Background: Football (soccer) is popular among those of Masters age (≥35 years). Although regular exercise improves health, strenuous exercise causes a transient increase in cardiac risk.

Aim: To gain insight into cardiac risk factors, symptoms, and knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about myocardial infarction (MI), and support for prevention.

Psychological responses and coping behaviour of visiting family members during and following unplanned hospital admission.

Aims: To describe the psychological symptoms and coping behaviours of visiting family members following the unplanned hospitalisation of their relative.

Background: Hospitalisation of a patient is recognised as a stressful time for visiting family members, who experience psychological morbidity and elevated health risk.

Design: This prospective longitudinal evaluation included 40 family members of patients with unplanned admission to coronary or intensive care.

Cognitive impairment and psychological state in acute coronary syndrome patients: A prospective descriptive study at cardiac rehabilitation entry, completion and follow-up.

Background: Cognitive impairment may limit the uptake of secondary prevention in acute coronary syndrome patients, but is poorly understood, including in cardiac rehabilitation participants.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore cognitive impairment in relation to psychological state in acute coronary syndrome patients over the course of cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up.

Methods: Acute coronary syndrome patients without diagnosed dementia were assessed on verbal learning, processing speed, executive function and visual attention, at cardiac rehabilitation entry, completion and follow-up and scores adjusted using normative data.

Prevalence and seasonal variation of precipitants of heart failure hospitalization and risk of readmission.

Aims: To determine the prevalence and seasonal variation in precipitants of heart failure (HF) hospitalization and the risk of subsequent HF hospitalizations.

Methods: We analysed the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with HF and enrolled in the Management of Cardiac Failure program in Sydney, Australia. Potential precipitants of HF hospitalization were identified, and Cox-regression analyses performed according to the precipitant.

15-Year Trends in Patients Hospitalised With Heart Failure and Enrolled in an Australian Heart Failure Management Program.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and is a major contributor to health care costs. Since the area continues to be rapidly evolving, the aim of this study was to examine 15-year trends in demographics, precipitants, symptoms and outcomes of patients hospitalised with HF, and consider the individual and societal implications.

Methods: Data were prospectively collected by Heart Failure nurses from patients enrolled in the Management of Cardiac Function program (MACARF) in Northern Sydney, Australia.

Coping by family members of critically ill hospitalised patients: An integrative review.

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive integrative review of research literature on 1) the coping strategies that are reported by adult family members following admission of their adult loved ones to the intensive care unit (ICU), 2) identify which coping strategies are associated with psychological response during this stressful experience, and 3) the factors that are associated with coping strategies.

Data Sources: Electronic databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE; reference lists of journal publications.

Review Methods: A total of 643 citations or abstracts were initially screened for content relevance, 15 were included in the integrative review, including 7 quantitative, 3 qualitative and 5 mixed methods studies.

Design and rationale of the MyHeartMate study: a randomised controlled trial of a game-based app to promote behaviour change in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: Recurrence of cardiac events is common after a first event, leading to hospitalisations and increased health burden. Patients have difficulties achieving the lifestyle changes required for secondary prevention and access to secondary prevention programs is limited. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a game-based mobile app, MyHeartMate, which is designed to motivate engagement in secondary prevention behaviours for cardiovascular risk factors.

A genome-wide association study identifies new loci for factor VII and implicates factor VII in ischemic stroke etiology.

Factor VII (FVII) is an important component of the coagulation cascade. Few genetic loci regulating FVII activity and/or levels have been discovered to date. We conducted a meta-analysis of 9 genome-wide association studies of plasma FVII levels (7 FVII activity and 2 FVII antigen) among 27 495 participants of European and African ancestry.