Effects of Changes in Seasonal Weather Patterns on the Subjective Well-Being in Patients with CAD Enrolled in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: We examined whether seasonal and monthly variations exist in the subjective well-being of weather-sensitive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) during cardiac rehabilitation. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 865 patients (30% female, age 60 ± 9) were recruited within 2−3 weeks of treatment for acute coronary syndrome and during cardiac rehabilitation. The patients completed the Palanga self-assessment diary for weather sensitivity (PSAD-WS) daily, for an average of 15.5 days. PSAD-WS is an 11-item (general) three-factor (psychological, cardiac, and physical symptoms) questionnaire used to assess weather sensitivity in CAD patients. Weather data were recorded using the weather station “Vantage Pro2 Plus”. Continuous data were recorded eight times each day for the weather parameters and the averages of the data were linked to the respondents’ same-day diary results. Results: Weather-sensitive (WS) patients were found to be more sensitive to seasonal changes than patients who were not WS, and they were more likely to experience psychological symptoms. August (summer), December (winter), and March (spring) had the highest numbers of cardiac symptoms (all p < 0.001). In summary, peaks of symptoms appeared more frequently during the transition from one season to the next. Conclusion: This study extends the knowledge about the impact of atmospheric variables on the general well-being of weather-sensitive CAD patients during cardiac rehabilitation.

Keywords: coronary artery diseases; rehabilitation; subjective well-being; weather; weather sensitivity.

Figure 1

Flowchart of the study. * PSAD-WS, Palanga self-assessment diary for weather sensitivity; ** WS, weather sensitive.

Figure 2

Mean values of weather variables according to month, during the study period (from June 2008 to October 2012). Error bars denote a 95% interval.

Figure 3

Percentages of measurements per month, of patients with CAD who reported one or more subjective well-being symptoms on the PSAD-WS total scale and symptom subscales: (A) Weather sensitive patients; (B) not weather sensitive patients.