Abstract
Introduction
Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) are well known to improve functional status and prognosis after a cardiovascular event. This programs are class IA recommendation. However, many studies have demonstrated that women are less likely to stick to a CRP.
Purpose
To compare baseline characteristics between men and women participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program and to determine whether there are gender differences in the benefits obtained after the program.
Methods
Using data from our Department of CRP, we analysed a total of 1091 patients referred between 2015 and 2018 to our center CRP after a cardiovascular diagnosis. Clinical, analytical and echocardiographic outcomes were collected. We defined benefit as the achievement of the target levels established for each cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) as well as improvement in the exercise capacity. This capacity was evaluated with exercise tests and maximum O2 uptake at the beginning and at the end of the CPR.
Results
Between 2015 and 2018, 189 (17.3%) of them women with a mean age of 62 years were enrolled in the CRP. There were no significant gender differences in mean age or incidence of CVRF. Likewise, there weren't differences in cardiovascular diagnosis, risk stratification, left ventricular ejection fraction or exercise test performed before the program.
In the results after CRP there were no important gender differences in the percentage of patients who achieved the quality indicators described as HbA1c <7.0%, systolic arterial pressure <140 mmHg, diastolic arterial pressure <90 mmHg. Percentage of LDL cholesterol <70 mg/dl was significantly higher in male patients. Both in men and women an improvement of the second exercise test result was observed.
Conclusions
1. Men and women who suffer from a coronary heart disease have similar clinical characteristics.
2. Among patients with coronary heart disease who attended a cardiac rehabilitation program there were no significant gender differences in the benefits obtained after the program.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Significant residual coronary obstruction: impact on short and long-term outcomes of a cardiac rehabilitation program in coronary heart disease
