During Covid-19 lockdown, staying-at-home in a rural area was associated with a healthier lifestyle and lower psychological distress in chronic cardiac patients

BACKGROUND: Healthy lifestyle, which are keystones in management of chronic cardiac patients, could be challenged during the lockdown. PURPOSE: In patients with Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) or congestive heart failure (CHF), to evaluate the impact of the place of residence during the Covid-19 lockdown on lifestyle behaviours. METHODS: Randomly selected subjects among 250 patients with CCS (from RICO survey) and 150 patients with CHF (from a HF clinic) were invited to answer to a phone-call questionnaire during the 1st COVID-19 lockdown. Urban zone was defined as ≥ 2000 inhabitants. Psychological distress was assessed by Kessler-6 score. RESULTS: 344 questionnaires were fit for analysis (220 CCS and 124 CHF), including 66.6% male, with median (IQR) age at 70(59-78) y (Table 1). Rural location of lockdown residence was frequent (53%), and associated with less lifestyle impairment (i.e. decrease in physical activity and increase in screen-time). In contrast, patients living in urban area felt more often cramped and had a higher psychologic distress. CONCLUSIONS: During the 1st lockdown, chronic cardiac subjects from rural areas reported less unhealthy behaviors and lower rate of psychological impairment. These data may help to implement preventive action targeting urban patients.