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A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
04:24

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

12.2K

Cardiac rehabilitation for outpatients aged over 80 years with cardiovascular diseases

Ryoko Someya1, Yasushi Matsuzawa2,3, Yoshitaka Shimizu1

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan.

International Journal of Cardiology. Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention
|October 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) significantly improved frailty, quality of life, and exercise tolerance in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease. This multidisciplinary approach enhanced physical function and vascular endothelial function in individuals aged 80 and above.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Japan has the world's largest elderly population, leading to an increase in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Elderly patients with cardiovascular disease often experience comorbidities like frailty and cognitive decline, reducing quality of life.
  • Cardiovascular disease affects a growing number of elderly individuals, necessitating effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) on elderly patients with cardiovascular disease.
  • To assess the effects of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary OCR program on frailty, physical function, quality of life, and exercise capacity.
  • To determine the efficacy of cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) based OCR in improving cardiovascular health in octogenarians.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 49 patients aged 80 years and older with cardiovascular disease underwent a comprehensive OCR program.
  • Cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) tests were utilized as a basis for the OCR program.
  • Assessments included frailty, physical function, quality of life (QOL), exercise tolerance (peak VO2), and vascular endothelial function (Ln-RHI) before and after OCR.

Main Results:

  • The proportion of frailty and pre-frailty significantly decreased from 92% to 67% post-OCR.
  • Quality of life (KCCQ score) improved significantly from 76.8 to 81.4 (P=0.0196).
  • Exercise tolerance (peak VO2) increased from 14.1 to 15.4 mL/min/kg (P=0.0017), and vascular endothelial function (Ln-RHI) improved from 0.48 to 0.57 (P=0.027).

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive OCR, incorporating CPX-based exercise and a multidisciplinary approach, effectively improved frailty in elderly cardiovascular patients.
  • The OCR program led to significant enhancements in quality of life, physical function, and exercise tolerance.
  • Cardiovascular rehabilitation is a valuable intervention for improving vascular endothelial function and overall health in patients aged 80 and above.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiac rehabilitationCardiopulmonary exercise testCardiovascular diseaseElderlyFrailtyVascular endothelial function

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