Abstract

Objective. Evaluation the perception of revascularized coronary patients concerning their physical activity level.
Materials and methods: Evaluation the daily physical activity level and the availability to participate in a structured exercise program after revascularization procedure (PCI+CABG) according to gender, revascularization method and participation to the comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP).
Results. 16 months after myocardial revascularization and initiation of secondary prevention measures, 62% of patients continued to be sedentary and 54% had no intention to adhere at a structured exercise program in order to increase their physical fitness and quality of life. Only one third of them performed moderate or intense weekly physical activity. CABG patients were more inclined to participate in exercise training program than PTCA patients (p<0.05). The percentage of patients included in cardiac rehabilitation program that remained sedentary was significantly less than for non-participants (p<0.05). Coronary patients that adhered to the cardiac rehabilitation program performed a significantly higher number of weekly METS and were more compliant to a structured exercise training program than non-participants (p<0.05).
Conclusions. 16 months after myocardial revacularization and initiation of secondary prevention measures, most patients continued to be sedentary and had no intention to adhere to a structure exercise training program. The patients included in cardiac rehabilitation program were more inclined to perform intense or moderate daily physical activity than patients who did not benefit from this program (p<0.05).