Project R-13656

Assessment and long-term transmural follow-up of individual physical activity measured with heart rate monitors for improved cardiovascular health and fitness. (Research)

Sufficient physical activity (PA) is becoming more and more important in the prevention, onset and treatment of several cardiovascular diseases. Heart rate (HR) monitors are of interest to researchers and various healthcare providers because of their ability to use HR to indicate PA levels of individual cardiac patients in an objective, accurate and continuous way. Although some research has been carried out on the reliability of these devices in healthy persons in controlled circumstances, profound validation studies in the daily living conditions of specific cardio populations are missing. Moreover, reliable parameters and algorithms to objectively map, calculate and follow up on PA are still lacking. This research project will provide insight into the use of HR monitors in assessing PA in cardiac patients and its impact on cardiovascular fitness. First of all, various steps will be taken to develop an automated workflow and innovative algorithm that calculates a score to quantify PA levels based on HR measurements. In the next phase, the data of the PA algorithm and score will be incorporated in a healthcare provider dashboard and patient app to allow transmural follow-up of PA and coaching of patients. Finally, a prospective, multicentre, controlled clinical trial will be set up to further evaluate the newly developed PA algorithm and its ability to capture and contribute to improved cardiovascular health and fitness.

01 January 2023 - 31 December 2026