Quality of Life after Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease

The aim of the study was to compare the influence of a 12-week combined training on the subjectively perceived quality of life and on objectively measured indicators of performance (expressed as maximal achieved performance and performance converted to 1 kg of body mass) and on the capacity of the transport system (expressed as maximal oxygen intake and maximal oxygen intake converted to 1 kg of body mass) in patients with ischemic heart disease determined coronarographically with regard to their gender. A 12-week combined training in men with ischemic heart disease resulted in increase of their performance and capacity of the transport system. They attained a lower heart rate at rest and at the same time increased values of maximal systolic pressure at the higher performance achieved. As a result of the 12-week combined training male patients had fewer anginous difficulties in performing normal daily activities and did not have to take nitroglycerin because of these difficulties as frequently as before the training. The men included into the training were also evidently more satisfied with the course and quality of therapy after the training. The most important improvement, however, was achieved, as assumed, in subjective perception of the quality of life. In women with ischemic heart disease the 12-week combined training led to increased capacity of the transport system; neither performance nor the other monitored parameters changed significantly, but occurrence of anginous difficulties in performing normal daily activities and the necessity of taking nitroglycerin decreased.