Abstract
[Purpose] To investigate the continuation of exercise and lifestyle in patients with heart disease after cardiac rehabilitation.
[Methods] We conducted a questionnaire survey of 180 patients with heart disease (68.8±8.8 years of age;124 men and 56 women;134 cases of coronary heart disease, 30 cases of open-heart surgery, and 16 cases of chronic heart failure). They were in cardiac rehabilitation for more than 2 months during the period between September 2004 and October 2008. The items on the questionnaire were about continuation of exercise, lifestyle, and the length of hospital stay (24.0±12.3 months).
[Results] A total 138 ex-patients (77%) responded to our survey. Of them, 103 patients (75%) continued to exercise, and 58 patients (56%) were aware that exercise capacity should be improved. Forty-three patients (32%) failed to kick the drinking habit, and 8 patients (6%) were still in the habit of smoking. Nineteen patients were hospitalized again for heart disease.
[Conclusion] After cardiac rehabilitation, almost all patients continued doing home-based exercise.
