Limitation of Physical Activity, Dyspnea and Chest Pain Prior to and During Two Years after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Relation to a History of Hypertension

Abstract

Herlitz J, Caidahl K, Albertsson P, Karlsson T, Hartford M, Haglid M, Lurje L, Karlson BW, Sjöland H. Limitation of physical activity, dyspnea and chest pain prior to and during two years after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to a history of hypertension.Aim: To describe the limitation of physical activity, the cause of limitation of physical activity and symptoms of dyspnea and chest pain before and 2 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to a history of hypertension. Methods: All patients from western Sweden who underwent CABG between 1988 and 1991 were approached with a questionnaire—prior to, 3 months and 2 years after CABG—evaluating the issues raised above. Results: Of 2121 patients, 37% had a history of hypertension. By 3 months after CABG, physical activity tolerance had improved markedly and in a similar way for both hypertensive (P<0.001) and non-hypertensive patients (p<0.001); this level was sustained for 2 years. Absence of dyspnea increased markedly and similarly among both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients (p < 0.001) after CABG. The presence of chest pain decreased markedly and similarly among hypertensive (p<0.001) and non-hypertensive patients (p<0.001), both 3 months and 2 years after compared to prior to the operation. Conclusion: There was a marked improvement in terms of physical activity and cardiovascular symptoms 3 months and 2 years after CABG as compared with the situation prior to the operation. A previous history of hypertension did not seem to affect these results.