Assessing effectiveness of a cardiac rehabilitation program on outcomes of myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular diseases are among the major mortality causes world widely. Cardiac rehabilitation reduces cardiovascular mortality and improves cardiovascular and mental status of cardiac patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a cardiac rehabilitation program on myocardial infraction outcome. An experimental study was conducted with a sample of 170 patients (85 patients in each group of experiment and control) with myocardial infraction drawn from Amir Kabir hospital affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences. Data was gathered by a questionnaire and an observational check list before and after the intervention for both group. The experiment group participated in two-session cardiac rehabilitation program, once during discharge and one after 2-3 weeks of discharge. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and T-test. There was a significant relationship between cardiac rehabilitation program and chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, peripheral edema, palpitation and re-hospitalization of patients (P<0.05). It was demonstrated cardiac rehabilitation program could result less frequent chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, peripheral edema, palpitation and re-hospitalization of the patients as well as quicker normalization of inverted T wave. It calls more attention to cardiac rehabilitation program.