Correlation between participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program and quality of life of patients with coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE

To examine the correlation between participation in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program and quality of life (QoL).

DESIGN

A prospective study of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

Participants completed questionnaires before and after a 3-month CR program. Patients were surveyed using a cardiac history evaluation and the MacNew Heart Disease Health-Related QoL questionnaire.

FINDINGS

Of those eligible, only 14% of the participants were women and 7% were of Arab ethnicity. Patients' QoL significantly improved following participation. Higher level of education was associated with improved QoL. Conversely, cardiac risk factor burden was associated with a decline in QoL. No association was found between cardiac risk stratification, age or religiosity and QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved QoL after CR program participation should raise awareness of the significant benefits of CR among healthcare professionals.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

CR for those patients with CAD should be implemented, with a focus on women and minorities.