Impact of teaching cardiac rehabilitation programs on electrocardiogram changes among patients with myocardial infraction

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common mortality cause world widely. Cardiac rehabilitation can reduce cardiovascular mortality and improves mental and cardiovascular conditions among cardiac patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of teaching cardiac rehabilitation program on electrocardiogram changes among patients with myocardial infarction. A semi-experimental study was conducted with 170 patients with myocardial infarction who were randomly allocated in two groups of intervention and control (85 patients in each group), 2008-2009. Participants were hospitalized in one of the hospitals affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences. Sample selection lasted 15 months. A cardiac rehabilitation program in two sessions was presented for experiment group. The first session was held at discharge time and the next 2-3 weeks afterward. Content of cardiac rehabilitation program was included a brief introduction to heart anatomy, exercise, controlling and modifying cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, diet, sexual relationships, mental health (e.g. Stress management) and medicine regime. Control group just received the regular care, not the rehabilitation program. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was obtained five times during six months. It was revealed that normalizing of inverted t wave after six month in experiment group was significantly more than control group (P<0.05). Changes of ST segment and Q wave didn’tt show any significant differences between experiment and control groups. The study indicated that teaching cardiac rehabilitation program accelerates normalizing inverted t wave. It clearly demonstrates the valuable outcomes of teaching cardiac rehabilitation program to patients with myocardial infarction.