Article

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of lifestyle changes in
patients participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program. METHODS: Patients
with cardiovascular disease (N = 59) were enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation,
which included nutritional and exercise interventions. All patients completed the
program, but only 44 attended the reassessment after 12 months because of work
reasons or lack of time or interest. RESULTS: Ergometry before and after cardiac
rehabilitation showed significant differences in exercise tolerance time (5.2 +/-
1.8 minutes vs 7.1 +/- 2.1 minutes; P< .001), metabolic equivalents (6.5 +/- 1.8
vs 8.8 +/- 2.2; P< .001), and the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale (12 +/-
1.8 points vs 13.7 +/- 1.6 points; P= .005). At the end of the intervention
program, significant improvements were seen in body weight (82.6 +/- 15.2 kg vs
80.8 +/- 14.3 kg; P< .001), waist circumference (100.3 +/- 12.4 cm vs 98.0 +/-
11.0 cm; P= .002), and levels of fasting glucose (126.5 +/- 44.6 mmol/L vs 109.6
+/- 24.8 mmol/L; P< .001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.7 +/- 0.9
mmol/L vs 2.5 +/- 0.8 mmol/L; P= .033), and C-reactive protein (5.1 +/- 8.7
mug/mL vs 4.1 +/- 2.6 mug/mL; P= .008), as well as in adherence to a healthy diet
as estimated by the Trichopoulou questionnaire score (7.9 +/- 2.3 vs 10.6 +/-
1.5; P< .001). Twelve months later, however, many of these benefits had either
remained stable or worsened. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac rehabilitation is an
appropriate program for the improvement of clinical and analytical variables,
such as functional capacity, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, anthropometric
measures, and diet. However, 12 months later, many of these benefits either
remained stable or worsened.

Langue : ANGLAIS