Cardiac rehabilitation entrants between 1996 and 2006 became older (60.6 to 63.4 years) and heavier, but exhibited improved lipid profiles driven by increased statin use (25% to 77%).
Observational (n=2,814)
Patients entering cardiac rehabilitation are increasingly older and more metabolically unhealthy, though secondary prevention medical therapy (e.g., statins) has significantly improved.
In Brief PURPOSE Cardiac rehabilitation (CR)/secondary prevention programming is dependent on clinical attributes of participants. We examined recent changes in the profile of individuals who are entering CR. METHODS We analyzed data for all patients entering our phase II CR program from 1996 to 2006. Patients were classified into 5 groups on the basis of recruitment period: period 1 (1996–1998) (n = 604), period 2 (1999–2000) (n = 571), period 3 (2001–2002) (n = 588), period 4 (2003–2004) (n = 519), and period 5 (2005–2006) (n = 532). RESULTS From period 1 to period 5, age increased from 60.6 to 63.4 years, and the proportion of patients 75 years or older increased by 59%. The proportion of women, initially 25%, did not change. Weight increased from 84.7 to 88.5 kg, whereas the proportion of patients with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension increased by 35%, 52%, and 48%, respectively. However, the proportion of patients with elevated blood pressure level did not change significantly. Peak relative aerobic capacity decreased by 10%. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 20%, 35%, and 27%, respectively, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased by 12%. Use of all evidence-based cardiovascular drugs increased significantly, particularly statins (from 25% to 77%). CONCLUSIONS CR participants are now older, more frequently present with features of the metabolic syndrome, and are relatively less fit. However, a 3-fold increase in statin use over 10 years has contributed to a marked improvement of lipid parameters. We analyzed the change in profile of patients entering our cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention program from 1996 to 2006. Patients are now older, more frequently present with features of metabolic syndrome, and are relatively less fit. However, a 3-fold increase in statin use has contributed to marked improvement of lipid parameters.
Audelin et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention (n=2,814). Time period (1996-2006) was evaluated on Changes in clinical profile. Cardiac rehabilitation entrants between 1996 and 2006 became older (60.6 to 63.4 years) and heavier, but exhibited improved lipid profiles driven by increased statin use (25% to 77%).