The effect of the cardiac rehabilitation program on obese and non-obese females with coronary heart disease

Abstract

Introduction:Obesity is strongly associated with coronary heart disease and it is known as an independent risk factor. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phase II comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program on obesity indexes, functional capacity, lipid profiles, and fasting blood sugar in obese and non-obese female patients with coronary heart disease and to compare changes in these groups.Materials and Methods:Two hundred and five women with coronary heart disease participated in our study. At the beginning of study, body mass index, functional capacity, and lipid profiles and fasting blood sugar were evaluated; then, these patients were divided into two groups, patients who had BMI≥30 were known as obese and who had BMI<30 were known as non-obese patients. All of them completed the period of cardiac rehabilitation program, and 2 months later, all risk factors were examined for the second time in each group. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 15. For comparing the mean of outcomes, independent t-tests and paired t-tests were used.Results:Data revealed that unless in weight (P=0.00) and functional capacity (P=0.001), there were no significant differences in obese and non-obese female patients, at baseline. As a result of the cardiac rehabilitation program, both groups had significant improvement in functional capacity (P=0.00), weight reduction (P=0.00), triglyceride (P=0.01 and P=0.02, respectively), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.01), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P=0.00 and P=0.003, respectively). As well, significant improvement was observed in high-density lipoprotein (P=0.01) only in obese female, and non-obese female had significant differences in total cholesterol (P=0.003). However, there were not significant changes in total cholesterol (P=0.05) and fasting blood sugar (P=0.09) in obese female. Also, non-obese females didn’t have favorable differences in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.23) and fasting blood sugar (P=0.13). In addition, comparing two groups didn’t show any significant differences in each risk factors except BMI (P=0.03).Conclusion:Our study revealed that comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program results in significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and functional capacity at all levels of BMI in female with coronary heart disease.

Comparison of the Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation Between Obese and Non-obese Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction

“…Our results are consistent with the findings of most of the reported studies [511202122]. Several studies reported that CR improves functional capacity in a consistent and significant manner [9212324].…”

“…Most of the studies have reported that CR reduces body weight [911202324]. This difference could be attributed to many factors including inadequate exercise performance, short duration of phase II CR, and inadequate diet.…”

Exercise capacity and its determinants among postcardiac rehabilitation patients with coronary heart disease

“…Indeed, the deleterious effect of increased BMI on exercise capacity was also found in healthy adults (Jung et al, 2021). While more than half of the CR participants were obese as shown in the current study and previous studies (El Missiri et al, 2021; Ghashghaei et al, 2012), developing effective strategies with patients with CHD on long‐term weight management with the optimal amount of PA are needed during the CR.…”

“…While more than half of the CR participants were obese as shown in the current study and previous studies (El Missiri et al, 2021;Ghashghaei et al, 2012), developing effective strategies with patients with CHD on long-term weight management with the optimal amount of PA are needed during the CR. Exercise self-efficacy, one's belief about own capability to successfully engage in physical activity, is associated with the amount of PA (Blacklock et al, 2010).…”

Effect of a phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program on obese and non-obese patients with stable coronary artery disease

“…At the end of the program, the only positive findings were more significant reduction in BMI and more increase in exercise capacity in the obese group. Other effects of cardiac rehabilitation were similar between both groups [ 28 ]. The same group of researchers re-examined the effects of an 8-week cardiac rehabilitation program for obese and non-obese women with stable coronary artery disease on functional capacity in the form of METs achieved and reported that although METs achieved improved in both groups compared to their baseline, there was no difference in the magnitude of increase in METs on comparing both groups at the end of the program [ 29 ].…”