Supervised cardiac rehabilitation yielded significant relative improvements in exercise tolerance across all age and gender subgroups (32% to 50%), particularly among those with initial peak METs <5.
Observational (n=778)
Yes
Does supervised cardiac rehabilitation improve functional capacity in patients across different age and gender groups?
Supervised cardiac rehabilitation significantly improves exercise capacity across all age and gender groups, particularly in those with the lowest baseline functional capacity.
BACKGROUND: Using information collected prospectively from a multicenter cardiac rehabilitation database, this study was designed to evaluate baseline exercise tolerance and subsequent change in functional capacity among consecutive patients enrolled in supervised cardiac rehabilitation stratified according to age and gender. In addition, the study evaluated change in functional capacity among those with the lowest initial exercise tolerance (75 years. At baseline, the peak initial MET level for men was 8.6 +/- 3.4 METS and for women was 6.0 +/- 2.6 METs. The peak initial MET level declined with age: age 75 = 5.7 +/- 2.9 METS. When stratified according to age and gender, the baseline exercise tolerance for men significantly (P 75: men 36%, women 32%. Among 163 patients with an initial peak MET level <5, exercise tolerance rose from 4.1 +/- 0.7 to 8.3 +/- 3.5 METS (P <.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the greatest change in exercise tolerance with training was associated with those compliant patients with initial peak METS <5. No significant net change in the occurrence of exercise-induced ischemia was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Among consecutive patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation, baseline exercise tolerance differs relative to age and gender, with male gender and younger age demonstrating the highest functional capacity. Exercise training yielded significant improvements in exercise tolerance among men and women of every age group including those older than 75 years, and particularly among those with an initial peak MET level <5. Thus, referral to cardiac rehabilitation programs should be advocated for both men and women, and should not be limited by age.
Balady et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (n=778). Supervised prescribed exercise (cardiac rehabilitation) was evaluated on Change in functional capacity (peak MET levels). Supervised cardiac rehabilitation yielded significant relative improvements in exercise tolerance across all age and gender subgroups (32% to 50%), particularly among those with initial peak METs <5.
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