Long-term risk factor control after a cardiac rehabilitation programme.

Full Abstract

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.

Author information

Author/s: Toms, Lorelle V (LV); O'Neill, Maureen E (ME); Gardner, Anne (A);

Affiliation: Cardiac Rehabilitation, The Canberra Hospital, ACT.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses (Aust Crit Care), published in Australia. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Feb; vol 16 (issue 1) : pp 24-8

Dates: Created 2007/11/27; Completed 2008/01/25;

PMID: 18038520, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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