Functional Capacity after Cardiac Rehabilitation Program – Long Term Effects

Authors

  • Sandra Magalhães Interno de Formação Específica de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
  • Joana Macedo Interno de Formação Específica de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Hospital de Funchal – Madeira, Portugal
  • Maria Miguel Ribeiro Interno de Formação Específica de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
  • Ana Barreira Fisioterapeuta do Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
  • Preza Fernandes Assistente Hospitalar Graduado de Cardiologia do Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
  • Sofia Viamonte Assistente Hospitalar de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25759/spmfr.107

Abstract

In literature it is largely established the role of physical inactivity as a major risk factor to coronary heart disease. A Cardiac Rehabilitation Program improves functional capacity of the patient with cardiac disease as well as educates for the control of their cardiovascular risk factors. 

Aim: To evaluate the functional capacity of patients with coronary heart disease who underwent a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program over a 12-month follow-up and its relationship with changes in physical activity habits.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study that included patients with coronary heart disease consecutively referred for Cardiac Rehabilitation Program exercise based between January 2008 and December 2009. We evaluated the patients at three moments: baseline (first visit of Phase II), 3 and 12 months. We analyzed physical activity performed at home through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and assessed time and Metabolic Equivalents (MET) achieved during exercise tests performed.

Results: From a total of 329 patients 73 were excluded for not completing the phase II of the PRC due to loss of data during follow-up period. We studied 256 patients (76.2% male, mean age: 61,1 (10,6) years). At the end of phase II, there was a statistically significant improvement in the studied parameters, namely the average amount of physical activity performed in IPAQ scores (70.5%; p <0.0001), time (18,9%; p <0,0001 / 23,7; p =0,002) and MET (20,4%; p <0,0001) on exercise testing. This difference remained statistically significant after 12 months of follow- up.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation programs in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and the need to implement strategies in order to maximize the long term effects.

Keywords: Heart Diseases/rehabilitation; Recovery of Function. 


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How to Cite

1.
Magalhães S, Macedo J, Ribeiro MM, Barreira A, Fernandes P, Viamonte S. Functional Capacity after Cardiac Rehabilitation Program – Long Term Effects. SPMFR [Internet]. 2014 Jan. 27 [cited 2025 Jan. 15];24(2):18-24. Available from: https://spmfrjournal.org/index.php/spmfr/article/view/107

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2 (2013): Ano 21

Section

Original Article

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