Preliminary Results of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Patients with Compensated Heart Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa (Benin): A Pilot Study

Kpadonou Tg Niamanata D

doi:10.4172/2329-9096.1000160

Abstract

1.1. Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, socio-economic conditions limited access to cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) designed according to the usual models in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). 1.2. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a program of CRP based on Borg scale of perceived effort. 1.3. Methods: A Prospective, descriptive study aimed to be analytical focused on 27 patients with compensated heart diseases (CHD) included in a CRP for 30 workouts during 10 weeks. These patients were evaluated by Borg scale of perceived exertion with measuring heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) of rest at the beginning and at the end of the program. 1.4. Results: It was recorded a significant reduction in the heart rate (p<0.0001), systolic BP (p<0.0001) and diastolic BP (p=0.0002) while BMI reduction did not get a significant reduction (p=0.15). 1.5. Discussion: According to the studies encountered, intensities of physical activities such as those which have been subjected to patients are sufficient to cause different physiological adaptations noted at the end of this present program. Conclusion: This CRP appears to be an alternative to physical training in patients with CHD from socially disadvantaged conditions.

Highlights

In sub-Saharan Africa, socio-economic conditions as well as epidemiological transition consist of tropical diseases and the emergence of metabolic diseases creates a favorable framework for the expansion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1]
Starting from the assumption that such a program would be beneficial for patients with compensated heart diseases, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for effort (CRP) based on wide perception of effort by Borg scale, on body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in patients with compensated heart disease able to offset effort
The results of this study showed that the cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) performed with exercises of intensities equal to level 11 and 13 of Borg scale allowed to obtain a statistically significant reduction in HR, resting SBP and DBP while it was not sufficient to induce a reduction in the weight of the patients studied

Summary

Introduction

In sub-Saharan Africa, socio-economic conditions as well as epidemiological transition consist of tropical diseases and the emergence of metabolic diseases creates a favorable framework for the expansion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1] This contrasts with the paucity of epidemiological studies as well as preventive measures or treatment taking into account the epidemiological context and socioeconomic characteristics of this region. Current guidelines and studies regarding cardiac rehabilitation, recommend exercise protocols based on assessment of parameters such as oxygen consumption, Watt [7], anaerobic threshold [8]. All these parameters are determined by expensive equipment and hardly accessible in most African countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, socio-economic conditions limited access to cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) designed according to the usual models in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Methods

Results

Conclusion