Back to Search
Start Over
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac rehabilitation of patients following acute coronary syndrome.
- Source :
- PLoS ONE; 12/1/2022, Vol. 17 Issue 12, p1-10, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Background: Cardiac rehabilitation improves prognosis and symptoms in cardiac patients. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiac rehabilitation services were temporarily suspended between April and August. We aimed to investigate the effect of cardiac rehabilitation suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic on patients' exercise capacity and metabolic parameters. Methods: Included were patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation following hospital admission for ACS. Exercise capacity, weight and body fat percentage were compared between baseline, pre- and post-lockdown visits. Results: A total of 281 patients participated in the cardiac rehabilitation program prior to its suspension. Of them, only 198 (70%) patients returned to the program on its renewal and were included in the analysis. Exercise capacity improved significantly in the pre-lockdown stress test compared to baseline. However, there was a significant decrease in exercise capacity in the post compared to pre-lockdown test (8.1±6.3 and 7.1±2.1 METs in pre- and post-lockdown measurements, respectively, p<0.001). Of the 99 (50%) of patients that demonstrated at least 10% improvement in exercise capacity in the pre-lockdown test, 48(48.5%) patients returned to their baseline values in the post-lockdown test. Post-lockdown assessment demonstrated a significant weight gain (80.3 and 81.1kg, in pre- and post-lockdown measurements, respectively, p<0.001) as well as an increase in visceral fat level and body fat percentage. Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation suspension for 4 months during COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant reduction in exercise capacity and increased weight and body fat percent. These findings highlight the importance of remote cardiac rehabilitation services that can continue uninterrupted in times of pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 160530773
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0276106