Abstract
PURPOSE: Inflammation is involved in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. The most studied indicator of inflammation in coronary heart diseases (CHD) is C-reactive protein (CRP) which has prognostic significance in those with CHD. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on this marker of vascular inflammation, CRP.
METHODS: We analyzed CRP levels in 172 patients with CHD who participated in a CR program.
RESULTS: Men and women in CR demonstrated significant improvement in body mass index (-0.35, P = .002), exercise capacity (METs 1.8, P < .0001), HDL-C (1.8, P = .003), and CRP (-3.1, P = .003). The improvement in CRP was not significantly different based on age or the presence of metabolic syndrome.
CONCLUSION: Participation in CR was associated with a marked improvement of cardiac risk factors and appears to independently decrease the level of CRP regardless of gender, age, or presence of metabolic syndrome.