Gender approach in cardiac rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: cardiovascular disease in women is undervalued as a health problem. Among the therapeutic options is cardiac rehabilitation, which contributes to the reduction of morbidity and mortality and hospitalization in both genders. Objective: to evaluate the initial behavior and the results of a cardiac rehabilitation program in patients attended in the Rehabilitación Cardiaca (Cardiac Rehabilitation) department of the Cardiology service of the Hospital General Docente “Dr. Agostinho Neto”, from Guantanamo, during the period 2015-2019. Method: a descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study was carried out. The population was made up of 667 patients enrolled in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (CRP). Risk factors, ergometric parameters given by exercise time, heart rate, blood pressure, and functional class were studied. A rehabilitation program was applied that included physical-aerobic and resistance exercises, evaluations were carried out through ergometric tests, and serum lipids at the beginning and at 6 months. Results: there is a different risk profile between both genders; obesity is the most prevalent risk factor in females (62.9%) and active smoking in males (78.0%). The improvement in physical capacity was greater in men than in women. The parameters used to improve the participation and adherence of women to the program are exposed. Conclusions: women have great barriers to the incorporation into cardiac rehabilitation programs. It is necessary to offer them information about their benefits to improve access and permanence in the program.

Keywords

• rehabilitación cardiaca
• enfermedad cardiovascular
• género