Physical activity, symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea in patients with ischemic heart disease in relation to age before and two years after coronary artery bypass grafting.
BACKGROUND
To describe limitation of physical activity, cause of limitation of physical activity and symptoms of dyspnea and chest pain in relation to age before and 2 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).


METHODS
All patients from Western Sweden who underwent CABG without concomitant procedures during 3 years in 1989-1991 answered questionnaires before, and 2 years after the operation. Patients were divided into 3 age groups of equal size i.e. 32-59 years, 60-67 years and > or = 68 years.


RESULTS
In total, 2121 patients participated in the evaluation. The overall 2 year mortality in the 3 age groups was 3.8%, 6.8% and 12.2% (p<0.001). Limitation of physical activity was significantly associated with age prior to surgery but not thereafter. Improvement in physical activity, following CABG, was significant in all age groups. The proportion of patients being free of dyspnea increased markedly regardless of age. The number of chest pain attacks was associated with age after CABG, i.e. fewer attacks in the elderly, but such an association was not found prior to surgery. Improvement in number of chest pain attacks was more marked in the elderly.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity improved similarly in all age groups after CABG. Attacks of chest pain, although significantly reduced in all age groups, seemed more effectively reduced in the elderly.
Herlitz
J
J
Division of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Karlson
B W
BW
Sjöland
H
H
Albertsson
P
P
Brandrup-Wognsen
G
G
Hartford
M
M
Haglid
M
M
Karlsson
T
T
Lindelöw
B
B
Caidahl
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015444:Exercise; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors