Physical activity and influencing factors in people post stroke or transient ischemic attack across diverse regions in Sweden.

Background And Purpose: Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior are key targets for secondary stroke prevention, yet their characteristics and contributing factors are not well understood. This study aims to explore PA and sedentary behavior in individuals' post-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and identify factors linked to low PA (≤5,000 steps/day) and prolonged sedentary time (≥8 h/day).

Methods: A cross-sectional study comparing sensor-derived (activPAL) PA and sedentary time among community-dwelling individuals post stroke or TIA residing in diverse geographical regions of Sweden.

Short- and long-term effects of beta-blockers on symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with myocardial infarction and preserved left ventricular function: a pre-specified quality of life sub-study from the REDUCE-AMI trial.

Aims: Among patients with myocardial infarction (MI) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the REDUCE-AMI trial did not demonstrate a benefit of beta-blocker vs. no beta-blocker treatment on all-cause mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction. The aim of this pre-specified sub-study was to investigate effects of beta-blockers on self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Effects of beta-blockers on quality of life and well-being in patients with myocardial infarction and preserved left ventricular function-a prespecified substudy from REDUCE-AMI.

Aims: In the Randomized Evaluation of Decreased Usage of Beta-Blockers after Acute Myocardial Infarction (REDUCE-AMI) study, long-term beta-blocker use in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction demonstrated no effect on death or cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this prespecified substudy was to investigate effects of beta-blockers on self-reported quality of life and well-being.

Methods And Results: From this parallel-group, open-label, registry-based randomized clinical trial, EQ-5D, and World Health Organization well-being index-5 (WHO-5) questionnaires were obtained at 6-10 weeks and 11-13 months after AMI in 4080 and 806 patients, respectively.

Factors associated with the willingness to provide telerehabilitation by physiotherapists treating older adults or people with neurological diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.

Background: While telerehabilitation is a promising alternative to traditional rehabilitation, previous studies suggest that it is still underutilised by physiotherapists. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the willingness, and use of, telerehabilitation among physiotherapists.

Method: An online survey, covering self-reported use of, and attitudes toward telerehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, was distributed to physiotherapists who were members of the Swedish Association of Physiotherapists and working in geriatrics or neurology in Sweden.

Association of anxiety and recurrent cardiovascular events: investigating different aspects of anxiety.

Aims: While elevated levels of anxiety are associated with worse prognosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), this association may vary between different aspects of anxiety. The aim of this study was to analyse self-reported behavioural, physiological, affective, and cognitive aspects of anxiety and their relation to the risk of recurrent CV events.

Methods And Results: This prospective cohort study utilized data from the U-CARE Heart trial.

Randomized evaluation of routine beta-blocker therapy after myocardial infarction quality of life (RQoL): design and rationale of a multicentre, prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint study.

Aims: Most cases of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in Sweden are treated with long-term β-blocker therapy as secondary prevention. Case studies and patient reports have indicated negative effects of β-blockers including symptoms of depression, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and general low mood, all related to reduced quality of life (QoL). To date, no recent large-scale, randomized trial has explored the effects of β-blockers on these factors.

Mobile health to promote physical activity in people post stroke or transient ischemic attack - study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Background: Physical activity is essential to improve health and reduce the risk of recurrence of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Still, people post stroke or TIA are often physically inactive and the availability of physical activity promotion services are often limited. This study builds on an existing Australian telehealth-delivered programme (i-REBOUND- Let's get moving) which provides support for home-based physical activity for people post stroke or TIA.

Management of emotional distress following a myocardial infarction: a qualitative content analysis.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression, are common among MI patients. The aim of this study was to investigate emotional reactions following MI and to explore how MI patients self-manage their emotional distress using the perspective of an explanatory behavioural model of depression and anxiety.

Reducing stress and anxiety in patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries or Takotsubo syndrome: A non-randomized feasibility study.

Background And Aim: In the aftermath of a myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) or Takotsubo syndrome (TS), patients commonly express high levels of stress and anxiety. Current treatment alternatives rarely address these issues. The planned (e-SMINC) aims to evaluate the effects of an internet-based intervention, building on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by comparison with treatment as usual using an RCT approach.

The e-mental health treatment in Stockholm myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronaries or Takotsubo syndrome study (E-SMINC): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: In the aftermath of a myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) or Takotsubo syndrome (TS), patients commonly express high levels of stress and anxiety. Current treatment alternatives rarely address these issues.

Methods: The study is a randomised controlled trial, where 90 patients with a discharge diagnosis of MINOCA or TS who also report symptoms of stress or anxiety will be randomised 2-6 weeks after their cardiac event.

Association between β-blocker dose and quality of life after myocardial infarction: a real-world Swedish register-linked study.

Background: β-blockers are routinely administered to patients following myocardial infarction (MI), yet their potential effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not entirely understood. We investigated the relationship between two different doses of β-blockers with HRQoL following MI.

Methods And Results: This nationwide observational study used Swedish national registries to collate sociodemographic, clinical, medication, and HRQoL {the latter operationalized using EuroQol [European Quality of Life Five Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D)]}.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Patients Reporting Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression After Myocardial Infarction: U-CARE Heart Randomized Controlled Trial Twelve-Month Follow-up.

Background: The U-CARE Heart trial was one of the first randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy on self-reported symptoms of anxiety or depression for patients with a recent myocardial infarction. While the effects of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at 14 weeks postbaseline were not significant, in this study, we investigated possible long-term effects of treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy on self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients 12 months after a myocardial infarction and to explore subsequent occurrences of cardiovascular disease events.

Association between β-blocker dose and cardiovascular outcomes after myocardial infarction: insights from the SWEDEHEART registry.

Aims: Dose-dependent effects of β-blockers on survival and cardiovascular outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI) are not well understood. We investigated the long-term risk of cardiovascular events in patients with different doses of β-blockers after MI.

Methods And Results: This was a nationwide observational study linking morbidity, mortality, socioeconomic, and medication data from Swedish national registries.

Designing a Web-Based Psychological Intervention for Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries: User-Centered Design Approach.

Background: The involvement of patient research partners (PRPs) in research aims to safeguard the needs of patient groups and produce new interventions that are developed based on patient input. Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), unlike acute myocardial infarction (MI) with obstructive coronary arteries, is presented with no significant obstructive coronary artery disease. Patients with this diagnosis are a subset of those diagnosed with traditional MI and often need more psychological support, something that is presently not established in the current treatment scheme in Swedish health care or elsewhere, to our knowledge.