[Cardiac rehabilitation in "sports" patients]

Abstract

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) addresses for the greater part a middle-aged sedentary population. Nevertheless, some patients referred in CR are active or sportive, and care for these patients is less known.

Aim of the study: To compare the results of CR between a little or not active population and an active or athletic population.

Patients and methods: Every patient referred in a CR department in Loire-Atlantique between 2010 and 2016 were included either in the group 1 (sedentary or little active) or in the group 2 (at least once a week physical training).) RESULTS: Among 2916 patients included, 2288 patients did two exercise tests, the functional capacity in the group 1 (n=2117) increased from 4.7±1.2 to 5.6±1.3 METs versus 6.5±1.7 to 7.6±1.8 METs in the group 2 (n=171), the gain was similar in both groups from 19±13% to 18±14% (P=0.16). The 6minutes Walking Test respectively increased from 445±91 to 517±89 versus 518±87 to 603±73 meters with a gain of 18±18 versus 18±16% (P=0.93). The prognosis is yet to be best in the group 2 in accordance to a best maximal functional capacity (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation is useful in active or athletic patients and should be prescribed based on the current recommendations.

Keywords: Activité sportive; Cardiac rehabilitation; Patient education; Réadaptation cardiaque; Sports activities; Éducation du patient.