Improving quality of life through a cardiac rehabilitation program: a 4-wave longitudinal study

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

Given the importance of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the world, and the fact that in Spain only 2–3% of the population can benefit from access to cardiac rehabilitation programs, the aim of this study is to consider the measurement of quality of life as a good indicator to determine the effectiveness of these programs. This longitudinal study evaluates the impact of a cardiac rehabilitation program on quality of life in a cohort of 181 patients at a Spanish hospital for 2 years.

Methods

Quality of life was assessed at four time points: on admission to the program, at discharge after 12 weeks, and at the 4- and 12-month revisions.

Results

The results show an increase in the perception of quality of life compared to the initial situation of the patients at the time of admission to the rehabilitation program, with positive results being observed in practically all the domains of the questionnaire, obtaining a higher score in the physical role domain.

Conclusions

This study shows that attendance at a cardiac rehabilitation program significantly improves self-perception of health, both physical and emotional.