A research conducted at the University of Granada
has demonstrated the efficiency of a heart rehabilitation program aimed at
patients suffering from heart disease. The authors of this study affirm that it
is essential that heart rehabilitation programs aimed at cardiac patients are
established. In Spain, a low
percentage of cardiac patients participate in this type of programs, as
compared to the rest of Europe.
The study included a sample of 200 patients suffering from
heart disease, who were members of the Association of Cardiac Patients of
Granada, Spain. Subjects were assigned to two groups: the intervention group
participated in a heart rehabilitation program conducted by the Association
mentioned above, while the second group was excluded from the rehabilitation
program. Both groups underwent a clinical-functional study and answered a
survey on risk factors associated with their heart disease.
The results obtained revealed that the subjects who took
part of the heart rehabilitation program presented lower total cholesterol and
plasma triglyceride levels, as compared to the other group. Furthermore, the
subjects in the intervention group exhibited healthier eating habits and did
physical exercise more frequently than subjects in the other group. Therefore,
the heart rehabilitation program developed by these researchers “helps
enhance certain risk factors for heart disease, and encourages patients to have
healthy eating and life habits, which is essential for the prevention of heart
diseases”.
Leading Cause of Death
Heart diseases represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in
industrialized countries as Spain.
The high prevalence and economic cost of heart diseases require the
implementation of prevention programs, the promotion of healthy habits, and
control of risk factors for heart diseases. Heart rehabilitation programs are
essential to improve secondary prevention of heart diseases.
This study was conducted by María Esther Sánchez Entrena, a
member of the Physiology Department of the University of Granada School of
Pharmacy, and coordinated by professors Magdalena López Frías, Teresa Nestares
Pleguezuelo and Carlos De Teresa Galván. The study was conducted in
collaboration with the Centro Andaluz de Medicina del
Deporte and Department of Health of Granada
City Hall.
The results of this study have been partially published in the journal Annals
of Nutrition&Metabolism.
