Other characteristics , including specialist versus generalist provision , did not appreciably impact programme effectiveness .
Conclusions Shorter secondary prevention programmes , those based in general practice , and those staffed by generalists are at least as effective in reducing all cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease as longer programmes , hospital-based programmes , and programmes staffed by specialists
Background The aim of this study was to determine which programme characteristics influence the effectiveness of secondary prevention programmes for Coronary Heart Disease .
Effects of cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction: changes in coronary risk factors and long-term prognosis.
Prognosis during 5 years of follow-up after first myocardial infa rct ion ( MI ) in a group of men ( aged 40 to 55 years ) was related to risk factors determined at the time of MI . Progression of coronary artery disease ( CAD ) was measured by the occurrence of severe angina pectoris , recurrent myocardial infa rct ion , and cardiac death . Only smoking and serum cholesterol level influenced prognosis . It was possible to identify a subgroup ( patients smoking less than 20 cigarettes/day and having a cholesterol level of less than 7.0 mmoles/L ) with low risk for progression of CAD . A r and omly applied 6-week rehabilitation program shortly after MI was associated with a 50 % decrease in progressive CAD when compared to the control group . Since only a slight decrease in cholesterol levels was found in the rehabilitation group , a direct effect of the rehabilitation program could thus not be excluded because the second important risk factor , smoking , did not show differences between the two groups . The smoking habits at the time of MI determined the continuation of cigarette smoking and rehabilitation did not influence smoking habits
Other characteristics , including specialist versus generalist provision , did not appreciably impact programme effectiveness .
Conclusions Shorter secondary prevention programmes , those based in general practice , and those staffed by generalists are at least as effective in reducing all cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease as longer programmes , hospital-based programmes , and programmes staffed by specialists
Background The aim of this study was to determine which programme characteristics influence the effectiveness of secondary prevention programmes for Coronary Heart Disease .