Abstract 118: Angina Patients Improve Physical Fitness in 18 Days

Abstract

Background: Angina patients can have difficulty with physical activity. It is known that physical exercise could be beneficial for patients suffering from angina. We document the effect that lifestyle interventions have on metabolic equivalents (MetS). MetS is related to oxygen consumed at rest, higher MetS indicates better physical fitness. Methods: A medical residential program took place in the Sierra Mountains in Placer County in California. Patients were referred by their physician or came by themselves to the not for profit program. The program included plant-based meals, stress management, spiritual help, chaplaincy, psychological, physical and medical therapies. Every patient was evaluated by a board certified physician who also conducted a stress test on participants. The stress test was done before and after the program. The Bruce protocol was followed for the stress test, the test gave the initial and final MetS measurements. Patients were monitored daily and every patient did some level of physical exercise according their physical condition. For females 60+ years old a MetS of 5 or less are considered very poor fitness while a MetS of 9 is considered good. For males 60+ MetS of 6 are considered very poor while a MetS of 10 is considered good. Results: From 12 years of data 2030 patients participated of the program, from those, n=82 had the diagnosis of angina and they also had a before and after stress test results. Those 82, 50% were females, 47.5% were Caucasian, 20.7% Black and 19.5% Hispanic. Average age for males was 62.2, SD 10.4 and mean age for females was 65.6, SD 11.8. For the females baseline MetS were mean 6.1, SD 2.3, median 6, mode 6, min 2, max 11. End MetS were 7.2, SD 2.6, median 7, mode 5, min 3, max 13. T-test reported significant change t(40)=-6.4, p <.001. For the males baseline MetS were mean 7.5, SD 2.6, median 7, mode 7, min 2.5, max 12. End MetS were mean 8.9, SD 2.7, median 9, mode 7, min 4.5, max 15.2. T-test indicates significant change t(40)=-4.9, p <.001. Many patients reported less angina events during the program. Conclusion: The increase in MetS is a clear indication that the fitness level of these patients improved. The end MetS of this group is related to better prognosis since an increase of MetS means better exercise capacity and may decrease mortality.