Cardiac rehabilitation improved 6MWT distance by 73 m (+23.6%) from 306.0 m to 378.9 m (p < 0.0001) in cardiovascular patients with multiple comorbidities.
Observational (n=95)
No
Does a cardiac rehabilitation program improve functional capacity and optimize medical therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease?
Cardiac rehabilitation in a real-world setting significantly improves functional capacity and facilitates the optimization of guideline-directed medical therapy, such as SGLT2 inhibitors.
Effect estimate: p < 0.0001
Absolute Event Rate: 378.88% vs 306.02%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a fundamental pillar in the therapeutic pathway of patients with cardiovascular disease, contributing significantly to improving quality of life and reducing the risk of cardiovascular event recurrence. Over the past decades, this approach has progressively evolved, integrating multidisciplinary strategies based on scientific evidence. This study aimed to conduct a detailed analysis of the anthropometric, clinical, and functional characteristics of patients enrolled in the CR Unit of the San Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi D’Aragona University Hospital in Salerno, with particular attention to therapeutic changes, drug titration, and cognitive assessment. Methods: Specifically, the anthropometric, clinical, laboratory, and instrumental data of 95 patients (age 66.56 ± 0.99 years, 75% male) who underwent the CR program between 2023 and 2025 were analyzed. Results: Patients with various diagnoses were enrolled in the CR program: 17% heart failure, 18% cardiac surgery, 20% acute coronary syndrome, 16% chronic coronary syndrome, 29% dyspnea. The patients had numerous comorbidities and risk factors: 73% arterial hypertension, 77% dyslipidemia, 35% diabetes mellitus, 33% smoking, 13% thyroid dysfunction, 47% CAD, 18% CKD, 16% COPD. At baseline, Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) showed a moderately reduced functional capacity (VO2 peak pre-CR: 14.29 ± 0.53 mL/min/kg; VO2% predicted pre-CR: 62.19 ± 2.43%), and a significant improvement was recorded in meters at 6 min walk test (6MWT) post-CR (pre-CR: 306.02 ± 9.93 m vs. post-CR: 378.88 ± 13.37 m; p < 0.05). Notably, 22% of patients had a Qmci score < 49.4 points, indicating an MCI. Finally, the cardiovascular therapy was titrated and adapted; specifically, we recorded a significant increase in the use of SGLT2i therapy (pre-RC 22.00% vs. post-RC 34.00%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, CR proved to be safe and effective in enrolled patients; further studies will be needed to investigate the therapeutic modifications implemented during CR programs in more detail.
Virtuoso et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Adults with cardiovascular disease participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program including heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, chronic coronary syndrome, post-cardiac surgery, and dyspnea with multiple comorbidities (n=95). Cardiac rehabilitation program involving aerobic and resistance exercise, inspiratory muscle training, and therapy titration vs. Baseline/pre cardiac rehabilitation status was evaluated on Functional capacity improvement assessed by 6 min walk test (6MWT) meters covered (p < 0.0001, p=<0.0001). Cardiac rehabilitation improved 6MWT distance by 73 m (+23.6%) from 306.0 m to 378.9 m (p < 0.0001) in cardiovascular patients with multiple comorbidities.