Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society
Year 2017, Volume 29, Issue 3, Pages 8-12
https://doi.org/10.26715/jbms.29.3.2017.37aKhalid Bin Thani1*, Aziza Matooq2, Fatima Nasser2, Thikrayat Nooruddin2, Zahra Alaswani2, Hawra Hasan2, Hind Al-Sindi3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Salmaniya Medical Complex, P.O. Box 12, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
2Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 12, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
3Primary Care and Family Physician Program, P.O. Box 12, Ministry of Health, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
*Corresponding author:
Khalid Bin Thani, MD, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Salmaniya Medical Complex, P.O. Box 12, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel: (+973) 17-279750. Fax: (+973) 17-279774,
E-mail: kbinthani@hotmail.com
Received date: March 23, 2017; Accepted date: July 25, 2017; Published date: August 8, 2017
Abstract
Background and objectives: To describe patient characteristics and risk factors profile of patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Methods: This single-center, prospective, observational study included all the patients who completed the cardiac rehabilitation program with exercise sessions, including dietary plan, counseling, stress management, and relaxation sessions. Effects of pre- and postexercise program on patients’ baseline characteristics, blood pressure, blood chemistry and lipid profile status were recorded and compared.
Results: A total of 264 patients enrolled and completed the cardiac rehabilitation exercise program. The mean age of the patients was 52 years and 70.8% of the patients were men. Among 264 patients, 22.3% had diabetes mellitus, followed by hypertension (37.1%), and dyslipidemia (29.5%). Exercise training showed significant improvement in the functional outcomes, including 6-min walk distance (500 vs. 521.5 m; P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (130.7 vs. 123.2 mmHg; P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (75.9 vs. 72.5 mmHg, P<0.001), HbA1c (5.2 vs. 3.4%, P=0.001), and total cholesterol (4.3 vs. 4.1 mmol/L, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation is an essential and an integral part in the care of cardiac patients. Overall, there was a reduction in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels with improved exercise tolerance. The benefits and the desired outcomes are achievable to improve the overall care provided.
Keywords: Coronary artery disease, cardiac rehabilitation, risk factors