*Purpose: Heart transplantation (HTx) offers patients a second chance at life and to engage in the daily activities of life. However, the denervated heart does hinder a patient’s exertional level and the degree to which these HTx patients exercise is unknown. Although cardiac rehabilitation is routinely suggested, the proportion of patients who follow these recommendations are also unknown. We performed an anonymous survey in our HTx pts to assess frequency of exercise, exercise routines, types of exercise, and involvement in cardiac rehabilitation.

*Methods: 176 HTx patients took an anonymous survey related to exercise while waiting in the HTx clinic to be seen. These surveys were performed on a computerized tablet so that results were directly tabulated in anonymous form. Patients were at various timepoints post-transplant.

*Results: Even though all HTx patients were recommended to participate in cardiac rehab, only 54% of patients attended. 60% of patients exercised prior to HTx, with a majority exercising 2-4 h/per week prior to HTx. Currently, 86% of patients state that they exercise with most exercising 2-4hr/week post-transplant. Exercise included mostly walking (85%), swimming (14%), and running (7%). Some patients also participated in more strenuous activity i.e. racket sports (3%), hiking (12%), yoga/pilates (7%), and weight training (27%) (see table).

*Conclusions: Approximately half of HTx patients participate in cardiac rehab despite all transplant patients being encouraged to do so. Almost 90% of post-transplant patients do some form of exercise. This anonymous questionnaire reveals the true physical activity of our transplant population.

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