Effects of a phase III cardiac rehabilitation program on physical status and lipid profiles in elderly patients with coronary artery disease: Juntendo Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (J-CARP)

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available regarding the effects of phase III cardiac rehabilitation on the physical status and risk factors in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-four male CAD patients (>65 years old) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=18) or a control group (n=16). The intervention group participated in a phase III cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of exercise training, diet therapy, and weekly counseling for 6 months. In the control group, usual outpatient care was provided. In the intervention group, body mass index, waist size and fat weight significantly decreased; peak VO2 and anaerobic threshold VO2 were maintained; isokinetic peak torques of knee extensor and flexor muscles significantly increased; anterior trunk flexibility was significantly improved. In the control group, all parameters were unchanged except for peak VO2, which significantly decreased. In the intervention group, serum total cholesterol levels significantly decreased after cardiac rehabilitation. However, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apoA-I levels also decreased. In the control group, no significant change in lipid profile was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that phase III cardiac rehabilitation could be beneficial for elderly patients with CAD.