[Ambulatory long-term rehabilitation of heart patients]

In Germany cardiac rehabilitation contains a comprehensive 3 to 4 week inpatient program. The aim of our study was to perform an outpatient long-term rehabilitation including intense exercise and behavior therapy. In this setting the health benefits could be increased over the first 6 months. Hundred and twelve patients (94 men and 18 women, age 55 +/- 11 years) after myocardial infarction (52%), bypass-surgery (37%), PTCA (23%), and others (15%) were included in the ongoing study. Cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol diminished significantly. HDL-cholesterol was increased significantly after 6 months. The endurance exercise capacity per rate-pressure-product was increased by 46% during the 6 months period. The intake of cholesterol could significantly be diminished from 307 +/- 25 to 258 +/- 19 mg per day. Five of 16 patients became free from smoking. The first results from the long-term outpatient program show that the time of intervention and also the intensity of the medical, exercise and the behavior therapy are important factors for a successful rehabilitation.