Resumo

Calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria incluidos en el programa de rehabilitación cardiaca del hospital San Vicente de Paúl en Heredia. Rev. costarric. cardiol [online]. 2008, vol.10, n.1-2, pp.9-13. ISSN 1409-4142.

Quality of life of patients with coronary artery disease from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at the San Vicente de Paul Hospital in Heredia Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the first cause of death in our country, reaching approximately one third of the general mortality and atherosclerotic disease represents the majority of the mortality of this group. Cardiac Rehabilitation represents one of the fundamental parts of the treatment, combined with pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures for coronary artery disease. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of a cardiac rehabilitation program, in the quality of life of patients and their families and to become aware of factors that can interfere with the rehabilitation process. Methods: This is an observational, transverse study of patients with coronary artery diseases, with at least six month of assistance to the cardiac rehabilitation program of our hospital, up to October 2005. We used a mixed instrument of data recollection, composed of a supervised written inquiry and complemented with the measure of quantifiable variables. Results: There were no significant differences in gender population. 98% considered an improvement in their quality of life. 97% considered that their family understood better their illness, but only 45% reported integration of the family to the program. The data obtained from the stress test showed that 74% had a negative stress test for ischemia, 25% positive for ischemia and 1 % positive for high risk ischemia. The three factors that more frequently limited the process are insufficient space 57 %, working responsibilities 29% and distance from their residence to the hospital 9%. Conclusion: We believe that the improvement in the quality of life reported by patients represents a peak of our program. The medical condition of the patients was stable based on the results of the stress test, despite many of them were with suboptimal treatment. The main factors that limit the process suggest that there is a lack of consciousness about the fact that cardiac rehabilitation must be a part of the treatment of these patients and therefore it requires more resources in order to benefit more patients.

Palavras-chave : cardiovascular disease; cardiac rehabilitation.

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