Adherencia al ejercicio físico en mujeres tras completar un programa de rehabilitación cardiaca

Abstract

Introduction and objectivesThe effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is based on the achievement of a long-term adherence to the recommendations of physical exercise and healthy lifestyle. However, gender differences in terms of participation in such programs and regular practice of physical exercise have been described, being worse in women, probably, because of the difference in social roles. The aim is to study the adherence to long-term physical exercise by all women with cardiovascular disease after CR. MethodsThe study included a total of 99 women who completed the CR program between 2013 and 2018. Adherence to exercise was assessed using the EUROASPIRE V questionnaire, as well as anthropometric and analytical variables. ResultsOf the 99 women that were included in this study, 84% (84%; 95%CI, 76.5-90.6) stated that they practiced physical exercise regularly. The time since the end of the CR, to be the carer of a relative, or to be occupationally active, were not associated with the adherence to exercise by the patients (P >.05). Patients who were periodically followed-up by a healthcare professional (82%) were more constant in practicing regular physical exercise. ConclusionsAdherence to exercise in women after a cardiac rehabilitation program continues to be very high: 84% and without decreasing over time. Such adherence is not influenced by psychosocial factors, and is better in those patients who are regularly followed-up by the healthcare professional.