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[Rehabilitation in an ambulatory coronary training group. A longitudinal study of 5 years after a Hamburg model]
Insights
Long-term participation in coronary clubs significantly improves quality of life after myocardial infarction. Patients experienced reduced mortality, reinfarction rates, and improved physical capacity, with many returning to work and quitting smoking.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Sports Science
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (MI) survivors often benefit from structured rehabilitation programs.
- Coronary clubs offer long-term physical training and support for post-MI patients.
- Understanding the long-term outcomes of such programs is crucial for patient recovery and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of participation in a coronary club (training group) on patients following an acute myocardial infarction.
- To assess mortality, reinfarction rates, physical working capacity, lifestyle changes, and return to work in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 84 patients from the first coronary club in Hamburg.
- Data collected over a period of 5 months to 5 years post-myocardial infarction.
- Assessment of participant fluctuation, mortality, reinfarction, physical working capacity (PWC), smoking status, body weight, and employment.
Main Results:
- Participant fluctuation was 20% annually; mortality rate was 1.8% per year with no excess mortality in the first year post-MI.
- Reinfarction occurred in 3.4% annually, particularly in older patients.
- Five years post-MI, 75% remained active, 46% maintained training, 85% had fair PWC, and 81.9% returned to work.
- Significant reduction in smoking (57.1% to 13.1%) and normalized body weight (88.4%) were observed.
Conclusions:
- Long-term engagement in coronary club training enhances quality of life for myocardial infarction survivors.
- The program demonstrates positive impacts on cardiovascular health, physical function, and lifestyle modifications.
- Younger patients (<50 years) showed greater benefits from training compared to older individuals.
Abstract:
Results from 84 patients after an acute myocardial infarction, members of the first coronary club at Hamburg (training group) during 5 months up to 5 years, are reported. Fluctuation of participants was 20% per year; this is the same rate as in other parts of the sports clubs. Participants were approximately 10 years younger than the average of patients after myocardial infarction. 7 of the 84 patients died; mortality rate was 1.8% per year, no overmortality was detected in the first year after myocardial infarction. 16 of the 84 patients suffered reinfarction, i.e. 3.4% per year, especially elderly patients. 3/4 of the patients were sportive 5 years after their myocardial infarction, 46% continue to undergo a weekly activity with real training effect for good aerobic persistence. 85% had a fair physical working capacity (PWC). Younger patients under 50 years benefit more by the training than older. Older patients have a shorter participation than younger. 81.9% were working in their professions 5 years after their myocardial infarction. Before myocardial infarction 48 of 84 patients (57.1%) had been smokers; 5 years after participation in the coronary club only 11 of 84 patients (13.1%) smoked and continue to smoke cigarettes. The body-weight of the participants was normal in 88.4%; nobody had more weight than at myocardial infarction. It is concluded that long-term participation in the activity of a coronary club (training group) can give more quality of life after myocardial infarction.