Background:
Improved cardiovascular care and survival of patients with coronary heart disease has resulted in an increasing number of older adults who are eligible for cardiac rehabilitation (CR)
Objectives:
To investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of CR in older (age >= 65yrs) cardiac patients as compared to younger patients (<65yrs).
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of 448 consecutive participants (>=65 years, n = 210; <65 years, n = 238) between 1/1/04 and 9/29/05. Pre and post program total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, triglycerides (TG), weight, and MET level were collected on all participants. Analysis included t-tests and chi square.
Results:
At entry to CR there were significant differences in HDL, MET level, BMI, and weight between groups. However, significant improvements in weight, BMI, TC, HDL, LDL, TG and METs occurred within each group post-program. Post-program comparison between groups showed the younger (<65yrs) group with significantly greater improvement in MET level and weight as compared to the older group (>=65 yrs).
Conclusions:
Cardiac rehabilitation is safe for elderly coronary patients and associated with improved clinical outcomes. Elderly patients should be encouraged to participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs following major coronary events and coronary revascularization procedures.