Characteristics of Patients Entering Cardiac Rehabilitation in the United Kingdom 1993-2006

Abstract

: To analyze changes in clinical characteristics of patients entering a cardiac rehabilitation program between 1993 and 2006 and to consider the implications on the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation programs in the future. : Data were analyzed for 4692 coronary heart disease patients who joined the Phase II cardiac rehabilitation program between January 1993 and December 2006. : Over the study period mean age increased from 60.0 to 64.0 years (P < .001) and the proportion of participants aged 75 years or older increased from 4.4% to 17.1% (P < .001). In the first 8 years, the percentage of women increased from 17.8% to 23.7% but has changed little since. The most frequent index diagnosis throughout the study was acute myocardial infarction. The percentage of patients with percutaneous coronary intervention increased from 3.5% in 1993-1994 to 21.1% in 2005-2006, which contrasted with a recent decline in percentages of those with coronary artery bypass grafting in the United Kingdom. Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes almost doubled over the study period. The percentage of participants who were current smokers stayed constant at 6% to 9%. The percentage taking statins increased from 2.5% to 94.6% with a corresponding decrease of mean total blood cholesterol 6.00 to 4.07 mmol/L. Prescription of all cardiovascular secondary prevention medications increased significantly. : Overall, cardiac rehabilitation participants are becoming older with a consequent change in their abilities and needs. This may lead to changes in cardiac rehabilitation practice.