Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent events. A healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce this risk. A previous trial, Randomized Evaluation of Secondary Prevention by Outpatient Nurse SpEcialists (RESPONSE), demonstrated that nurse-coordinated outpatient clinics …

Background: Improved preferred gait speed in older adults is associated with increased survival rates. There are inconsistent findings in clinical trials regarding effects of exercise on preferred gait speed, and heterogeneity in interventions in the current reviews and meta-analyses. Objective: to determine …

BACKGROUND: Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasingly provided by nurse-coordinated prevention programs (NCPP). Little is known about nurses' perspectives on these programs. AIM: To investigate nurses' perspectives/experiences in NCPPs in acute coronary syndrome patients. …

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to test the unverified assumption that chronically elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels fluctuate randomly around a homeostatic set point. BACKGROUND: The introduction of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (cTn) assays has improved sensitivity for acute myocardial …

OBJECTIVES: In health evaluations, physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max]) are important variables. It is not always possible to assess both of them. If the association between self-reported PA and VO2max was strong, it would be possible to use the information …

Circulating sex hormone levels have been linked to a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors in men, but studies on incident CVD have been inconclusive [1]. Recent data from meta-analyses show an increase in CVD risk with low testosterone in elderly men and no association with estradiol levels …

Patients with cardiovascular risk factors can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing their physical activity and their physical fitness. According to the guidelines for cardiovascular risk management, health professionals should encourage their patients to engage in physical activity. In …

Objectives Patients who underwent corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) have increased long-term risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Yet, limited information is available on how to evaluate the risk in this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic …

The consequences of cardiovascular diseases are substantial and include increasing numbers of morbidity and mortality. With a population getting more and more inactive and having a sedentary lifestyle, the risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes rises. This dissertation reports on people …

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with physical fitness and, to a lesser extent, physical activity. Lifestyle interventions directed at enhancing physical fitness in order to decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases should be extended. To enable the development of effective lifestyle …