[Modification of the lipid profile in coronary patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation].

To assess the effect of continuous and controlled exercise training on the lipid profile of coronary pts. in a cardiac rehabilitation program, we evaluated forty-nine males aged 56.8 +/- 9.6 years, thirty-two with previous surgical myocardial revascularization, two submitted to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and fifteen on exclusive pharmacological therapy. Patients with changes in drugs that could potentially induce modifications in serum lipid values, were excluded. The values of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio, weight and the body mass index at admission of training phase, end of training phase (III)-21 patients (Group I) and maintenance (IV)-28 patients (Group II), were assessed. The training phase (III) had a duration of 3-4 months and maintenance (IV) nine months. In Group I, evaluated at the end of the training period (phase III), there was no significant modification in lipid profile reduction; only 1% and 20% reduction (p = NS) in values of total cholesterol and triglycerides, was detected. The HDL-cholesterol rose 12.5% (p = NS), and the HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio 10.5% (p = NS). In Group II (at the end of the maintenance phase-IV-) there was no important change in total cholesterol levels. The HDL-cholesterol rose 19.5% (p = 0.003) and the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio, also increased 33.3% (p < 0.0001). The benefit in relation to triglycerides was restricted to patients with higher values (> 200 mg/dl), where a reduction of 36% (p = 0.004) was found. There was no change in the weight or in body mass index, induced by the program. We concluded that the participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program induces a favourable modification of lipid profile in our population, with potential interest for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. This change was particularly in serum values of triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and the ratio HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol. In what concerns triglycerides, the benefits were seen only in the group of patients with the highest serum values.