title: Build it and they will come: outcomes from a successful cardiac rehabilitation program at an Aboriginal Medical Service.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading disease burden in Aboriginal Australians, but culturally appropriate cardiac rehabilitation programs are lacking. We evaluated the uptake and effects on lifestyle, and cardiovascular risk factors, of cardiac rehabilitation at an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The program involved weekly exercise and education sessions (through 'yarning') for Aboriginal people with or at risk of CVD. Participants' perceptions of the program and the impact on risk factors were evaluated following 8 weeks of attendance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In twenty-eight participants (20 females) who completed 8 weeks of sessions, body mass index (34.0 ± 5.1 v. 33.3 ± 5.2 kgm⁻²; P<0.05), waist girth (113 ± 14 v. 109 ± 13 cm; P<0.01) and blood pressure (135/78 ± 20/12 v. 120/72 ± 16/5 mmHg; P<0.05) decreased and 6- min walk distance increased (296 ± 115 v. 345 ± 135m; P<0.01). 'Yarning' helped identify and address a range of chronic health issues including medication compliance, risk factor review and chest pain management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AMS-based cardiac rehabilitation was well attended, and improved cardiovascular risk factors and health management. An AMS is an ideal location for managing cardiovascular health and provides a setting conducive to addressing a broad range of chronic conditions.
authors.affiliation: National Heart Foundation, 334 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia.
authors.forename: Lyn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dimer
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dowling
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cheetham
authors.forename: Tyra
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Maiorana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D054521:Cultural Competency; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult