The Effectiveness of Rehabilitation-Education Program on Risk Factors in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiac rehabilitation programs refer to interventions aimed at stopping the recurrence of coronary artery disease in patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of rehabilitation-education program on risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease.

In this clinical trial study 70 CAD patients who were admitted to coronary care units of Ali-Ebne Abitaleb Hospital, Zahedan were selected using convenience sampling according to the inclusion criteria. Then, they were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups by using coin flipping. The intervention consisted of a twelve-week training and exercise program. The exercise program included walking sessions at home at least three times a week. Data were collected through using a demographic questionnaire, measuring blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, low-density lipoprotein and high- density lipoprotein. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 21 using independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square test.

The results showed the significant difference between the two groups after the intervention in terms of risk factors. High- density lipoprotein increased and other risk factors such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and low-density lipoprotein decreased after the intervention.

The cardiac rehabilitation program reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and low density lipoprotein in the intervention group. On the other hand, it increased high density lipoprotein. Therefore, the adjustment of risk factors is evident in patients who received a cardiac rehabilitation program. It is recommended that healthcare providers deploy such interventions and rehabilitation programs which adjust the risk factors, alleviate disease complications, and reduce individual and social costs associated with cardiovascular diseases.