Article

Initiation of a long-term improvement of cardiac risk factors is one
of the major aims of a cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programme.
METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: The Health Guide collected data in terms of cardiac
risk factors: blood pressure, resting pulse, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
body weight, physical activity and number of cigarettes at admission and
discharge after a stationary rehabilitation programme and every 3 months. After
12 months the Health Guides were returned. In the prospective study 2664 patients
(71.8% men, age: MV = 62.94 years, SD = 9.96; 28% women, MV = 67.59 years, SD =
9.53) with coronary heart disease (CHD) were included. RESULTS: All cardiac risk
factors documented by the Health Guide improved during the cardiac rehabilitation
programme. After one year, risk factors were significantly lower than at
admission, apart from total cholesterol. The individual goal in terms of body
weight and LDL cholesterol was partially achieved after the rehabilitation
programme and maintained after one year. In the investigation years, 2004-2007,
the cholesterol and blood pressure were significantly lower than in the years
2000-2003. CONCLUSION: The use of a Health Guide resulted in an improved
long-term effect of a cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programme. It
is a simple and cheap intervention and can help in the guidance of the patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI