Long-term risk factor control after a cardiac rehabilitation programme.
This study examined the hypothesis that Phase II cardiac rehabilitation participants (CRP) had better long-term risk factor control, self-rated perception of health and return to work rates than non-participants (NP) between 18 and 36 months post myocardial infarction (MI). It was a comparative study in a 550 bed hospital. Approximately half of both groups did not achieve a total cholesterol (TC) of 5.5 mmol/L or less. Compared with NP, CRP were significantly more likely to have a TC < = 6.5 mmol/L (7% vs. 28%) (p = 0.006). NP with TC > 6.5 mmol/L were significantly less likely to be on treatment (p = 0.002). CRP were more likely to regularly exercise than NP (79% vs. 61%) (p = 0.038). The success rate for blood pressure targets, return to work rates and self-rated perception of health were similar in both groups. In conclusion, CRP had better long-term control of some risk factors than NP. The study provides comparative longer-term patient outcomes after an Australian cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme and forms the basis for further outcome measurement.
Cardiac Rehabilitation, The Canberra Hospital, ACT.
Lorelle V
LV
Toms
Maureen E
ME
O'Neill
Anne
A
Gardner
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D020958:Australian Capital Territory; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires