multidimensional evaluation of two cardiac rehabilitation programs in patients with coronary artery disease

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to study the impact of two different cardiac rehabilitation programs [high frequency versus low frequency exercises] on the cardiopulmonary outcome of patients with stable coronary artery disease. Relation of these exercise programs on the recurrence of myocardial morbidity was also defined. Fifty patients with stable ischemic heart disease were divided into two groups Group 1 including 25 patients who were subjected to a six-week high frequency exercise training and Group 2 including 25 patients who were subjected to a six-week low frequency exercise training. All the patients were subjected to full clinical assessment, laboratory investigations and Doppler echo cardio graphic studies. A statistically significant difference [p<0.05] was found after both the cardiac rehabilitation programs were instituted regarding all the exercise test characteristics studied. As regards quality of life [Qol] questionnaire there was also a highly statistical significant difference p<0.001]. Exercise training has a well-documented efficacy in the overall rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease. Beneficial effects of exercise training are evident along the different parameters of cardiac functions i.e. exercise capacity, exercise tolerance, cardiac hemodynamics as well as the patient's QoL