Long-term risk factor control after a cardiac rehabilitation programme

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.