Effects of cardiovascular rehabilitation on exercise tolerance and quality of life in elderly with coronary artery disease

Cardiovascular rehabilitation (CVR) is of utmost importance in primary and (especially) in secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of our paper was to examine whether elderly patients with CAD benefit equally from CVR program as CAD patients of younger age. The study involved 1,697 patients referred to the CVR program after surviving myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention or surgical myocardial revascularization. Patients were divided in two groups: group I involved patients younger than 65 years (1099 patients, 64.76%), whereas group II comprised patients 65 years old or older (598 patients, 35.24%). At the beginning and at the end of CVR, exercise stress tests were done (EST1 and EST2). Also, the quality of life (QOL) was assessed at the beginning and at the end of CVR by validated questionnaire Short-Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36). The results were compared between the groups. Younger patients showed better exercise tolerance on EST1 and EST2. However, both groups showed better exercise tolerance on EST2. Namely, in both groups, patients achieved higher strain level and longer duration on EST2 compared to EST1. Also, higher percentage of patients finished the test by achieving submaximal heart rate on EST2 compared to EST1. Also, our patients showed a significant improvement in all QOL areas except emotional health of patients ≥ 65 of age due to borderline statistically significant limitation. Our study showed that CVR improves the quality of life and physical exercise tolerance in elderly CAD patients. This is why the utilization rate and adherence of these patients to CVR programs should be vigorously encouraged.