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Updated: May 4, 2026

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
[Links between perceptions of cardiovascular disease and participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs: an
Sarah Pakzad1, Yannick Charette2, Paul Bourque2
1Univesité de Moncton Nouveau Bruswick. sarah.pakzad@umoncton.ca
Insights
Higher education levels, increased HDL cholesterol, and anxiety predict participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs). Illness perception did not influence CRP enrollment for cardiovascular patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) offer significant benefits for patients with heart conditions.
- Despite benefits, CRP participation rates remain low, ranging from 21% to 41%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify modifiable and non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factors influencing CRP participation.
- To explore the role of illness perceptions in patient enrollment for cardiac rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory, quantitative study was conducted.
- Thirty individuals diagnosed with cardiovascular disease were recruited as participants.
Main Results:
- Higher educational attainment was found to predict CRP participation.
- Elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and increased anxiety were associated with higher enrollment in CRPs.
- Perception of illness did not demonstrate a significant association with CRP participation.
Conclusions:
- Educational level, HDL cholesterol, and anxiety are key predictors of CRP engagement.
- Understanding these factors can inform strategies to improve cardiac rehabilitation uptake.
- Further research is needed to explore the implications of these findings for clinical practice.
Background:
Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) entail beneficial changes for the majority of participants with heart problems. However, only 21% to 41% of those patients participate in such programs.
Goal:
The goal of this study was to identify modifable and non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, as well as perceptions of illness that affect the participation of patients with cardiovascular problems in CRPs.
Method:
Thirty individuals with a cardiovascular disease participated in this exploratory, quantitative study.
Results:
The results suggest that the level of education as well as increases in the level of HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and of anxiety predict the participation in CRPs. However, the perception of illness was not associated with participation in CRPs.
Discussion:
The implications of these results are discussed.
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