Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation: Effects on Patient Improvement Outcomes

Objective: To determine if the Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program had positive effects on the patient medically as well as effects on pathological risk factors, functional capacity, and mental health; and the extent to which targets for blood pressure (BP) control in patients with hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are achieved.

Methodology: CR participant data was collected from 1st June 2014 until 31st December 2015 (19 months), which included: demographics, medical history, social history, medications, lipid profiles and anthropometric measurements. Additional data was collected on The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) factors, and on the participants 6min walk test (6MWT). Study participants were eligible to participate in the study if they attended 10 or more CR program sessions out of 12 at the Calvary Public Hospital Canberra.

Results: Indicated that the CR program reduces DM patient risk factors through improved physical fitness and reductions in depression and anxiety, leading to reduced risk of future cardiovascular and renal disease.

Conclusion: A CR program can reduce risk factors associated with CVD, and improves mental health and physical fitness of participants.