Cardiac function will be assessed by obtaining arterial stiffness, comprehensive echocardiography measurements and haemodynamic monitoring. Arterial stiffness will assess primarily pulse wave velocity (PWV) and echocardiography. Graded cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing coupled with non-invasive gas exchange and haemodynamic monitoring will also be performed. Physical activity will be assessed objectively using pedometers and accelerometry. Quality of life, sleep/ circadian rhythm, fatigue, anxiety and depression will be measured using the validated Short-Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep scale (PSQI), Chalder fatigue (CF) scale and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
The purpose of this study is to a) assess how coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) affects cardiac function in middle age and older adults and b) assess if a physical activity intervention (increased daily step count by 2,000) can affect cardiac function in a population with a history of COVID-19.