The effect of cardiovascular rehabilitation on physical strain tolerance - does gender really matter?

Background/Aim. Gender as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases has been the subject of research in numerous studies. All of them warn of shortcomings in the diagnosis and treatment of women with a coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in the effects of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CVR) on the tolerance of physical strain related to gender in examinees with the coronary artery disease. Methods. The study involved 684 patients, 506 (74.0%) men and 178 (26.0%) women. All respondents were referred to the CVR program after surviving a heart attack, percutaneous coronary intervention or surgical myocardial revascularization. During a three-week program of CVR, patients were subjected to the dosed and personalized physical training. At the beginning and at the end of rehabilitation, all patients were tested for physical strain. Results. The average strain level in men was significantly higher in the second test (t = 4.368; p < 0.001). Also, the duration of the test was significantly longer in the second test (Z = 11.836; p < 0.001). In women, the average strain level was significantly higher (t = 5.352; p < 0.001), and the duration of the test was significantly longer in the second test (Z = 7.471; p < 0.001). Conclusion. A three-week program of CVR led to an improvement in the tolerance of physical strain in both men and women. Our re-search once again proved that women have an equal benefit as men from the implementation of CVR. Nevertheless, women rarely participate in the CVR programs. It is necessary to make additional efforts in order to further educate physicians and other medical staff about the importance of sending women to the CVR program.