Cardiac profile and risk factors of patients with coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) may contribute to the development and adverse outcome of coronary artery disease (CAD), thus the screening for CVRF in CAD patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation is relevant. Purpose This study aimed assessing the cardiovascular risk factors in patients with CAD undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. 201 patients with CAD undergoing cardiac rehabilitation were recruited. Anthropometric measurements and analytical tests were performed for each patient. Several variables related to cardiovascular risk factors were identified: weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, smoking status, sedentary lifestyle, family history, basal level of glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. Results 82,5% of patients were men, mean age 58,24 ± 9,40 years. 46,2% had effort angina pectoris, 32,4% had infarction and 21,4% had unstable angina pectoris. Most of the sample had a moderate risk (51,5%), whereas 33,8% had low risk and 14,7% had high risk. 63,9% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with stent, and 27% underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The most prevalent risk factors were overweight (77,05%), dyslipidemia (64,3%), hypertension (58,10%), sedentary lifestyle (50%), family history (44,90%), smoking (22%) and diabetes mellitus (20,40%). Conclusions The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation is high. 51,5% had a moderate risk, whereas overweight and dyslipidemia are leading risk factors.