[Diet and physical activity in men with coronary artery disease participating in long term cardiac rehabilitation program].

BACKGROUND

Apart from pharmacotherapy diet and regular physical activity play an important role in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to asses dietary habits and physical activity among men with coronary heart disease participating in cardiac rehabilitation program.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted in the group of 87 men after myocardial infarction including 30 men mean age 56.7 +/- 7.2 years participating 7.0 +/- 2.9 years in cardiac rehabilitation program (Group A) and 57 men mean age 58.9 +/- 2.3 years (Group B). Diet was assessed by 24-hours food recall. Physical activity was assessed by the interviewer-administrated Seven Day Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire (SDPAR).

RESULTS

There was no difference in total daily caloric intake between groups (2913.0 +/- 679 kcal/day vs 3153.3 +/- 462.8 kcal/day, p>0.05). The mean percentage of energy from proteins was 19,6% in group A vs 18,3% in group B (p>0.05), fats was 31,6% in group A vs 34.4% in group B (p<0.05), carbohydrates was 48.8% in group A vs 47.3% in group B (p>0.05). Moreover the mean intake of cholesterol was 339,0 +/- 90,0mg in group A vs 582,6 +/- 233,9mg in group B (p<0,001). Significantly more patients from group A expended up to 1000 kcal/week on leisure-time physical activity than in group B (92.9% vs 3.3% p<0.001). More than 60% of patients from group B reported 0.0 kcal/week energy expenditure on leisure time physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that cardiac rehabilitation improves frequency, duration and intensity of leisure-time physical activity among men with coronary heart disease. But energy and nutrients intake in this group did not meet the level recommended by experts in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. More attention need to be paid to dietary habits among man with coronary artery disease participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs.