Effectiveness of a home-based cardiovascular disease prevention program during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: Home-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention (HBPP) and cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) programs which occupied a small proportion of the overall Preventive Cardiology work in the past have become mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose: This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of a home-based CVD prevention program implemented during the pandemic in India. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on pre-pandemic and pandemic enrolees. Health behaviour, CVD risk factors, physical and mental component score (PCS, MCS) from SF-12 questionnaire, body mass index (BMI), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed. A multidisciplinary team consisting of Physician, Physiotherapist, Dietician and Counselling Psychologist provided the program using tele-health platforms. Results: Of the 66 subjects (55 ± 13 years, 73% male), 17 (26%) enrolled pre-pandemic and 49 (74%) enrolled during-pandemic, 28 (42%) were HBPP and 38 (58%) were HBCR participants. Majority of the subjects (n = 51, 77%), with significantly more HBCR than HBPP participants, harboured 4 or more risk factors (p = 0.04). In the 60 (91%) program completers, BMI, 6MWD, PCS and MCS had improved significantly. SBP, DBP, LVEF, HbA1c, total cholesterol and LDL had improved significantly in affected subjects. Completely home-based participants (n = 44, 67%) who never had any in-person contact with the team during the program also showed significant improvement. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Comprehensive home-based CVD prevention programs are effective in improving anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and psychosocial parameters, are a safe alternative to conventional programs and could potentially become the standard-of-care in the post-pandemic era. (Figure Presented).