The effects of cardiac rehabilitation on physical tolerance in patients after coronary artery bypass graft

Coronary artery disease is the most important cause of mortality in most countries including Iran; which leads to significant disability, decrease in the quality of life, and death. According to previous studies, cardiac rehabilitation causes a significant decrease in mortality and has an important role in secondary prevention. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of cardiac rehabilitation on patients’ physical tolerance after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This research was a pre- and post-clinical trial in which 50 patients participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program for 2 months, 6 to 8 weeks following CABG surgery. The following variables had been studied before and after cardiac rehabilitation program: Maximum achieved heart rate and metabolic equivalent index which implies the functional capacity of every patient was investigated. The obtained data was analysed at the significant level of P<0.05 using SPSS (version 13) and relevant statistical tests. Out of 50 patients: 72% were male and 28% female. Achieved maximum heart rate in 60% of the patients had increased after cardiac rehabilitation and metabolic equivalents of 88% of them had increased after rehabilitation. Besides, there was an increase in exercise tendency in 28% of the cases. Cardiac rehabilitation has important effects on functional capacity in patients after CABG.