Changing clinical profile of patients entering cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs: 1996 to 2006.
OBJECTIVE
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR)/secondary prevention programming is dependent on clinical attributes of participants. We examined recent changes in the profile of individuals who are entering CR.


METHODS
We analyzed data for all patients entering our phase II CR program from 1996 to 2006. Patients were classified into 5 groups on the basis of recruitment period: period 1 (1996-1998) (n = 604), period 2 (1999-2000) (n = 571), period 3 (2001-2002) (n = 588), period 4 (2003-2004) (n = 519), and period 5 (2005-2006) (n = 532).


RESULTS
From period 1 to period 5, age increased from 60.6 to 63.4 years, and the proportion of patients 75 years or older increased by 59%. The proportion of women, initially 25%, did not change. Weight increased from 84.7 to 88.5 kg, whereas the proportion of patients with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension increased by 35%, 52%, and 48%, respectively. However, the proportion of patients with elevated blood pressure level did not change significantly. Peak relative aerobic capacity decreased by 10%. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 20%, 35%, and 27%, respectively, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased by 12%. Use of all evidence-based cardiovascular drugs increased significantly, particularly statins (from 25% to 77%).


CONCLUSIONS
CR participants are now older, more frequently present with features of the metabolic syndrome, and are relatively less fit. However, a 3-fold increase in statin use over 10 years has contributed to a marked improvement of lipid parameters.
Audelin
Marie C
MC
Fletcher-Allen Health Care, Division of Cardiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05403, USA.
Savage
Patrick D
PD
Ades
Philip A
PA
D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010809:Physical Fitness; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000639:trends
D008055:Lipids