Quality-of-life changes following the completion of phase II cardiac rehabilitation.

In this study, 302 patients who were completing Phase II cardiac rehabilitation were assessed at their entrance to cardiac rehabilitation and at 3 months. After 3 months, subjects improved on 8 of 9 dimensions. Greatest gains were in Fitness (22.5%, P < .0001) and Daily Activities (24.4%, P < .0001). Despite stratification by gender, a sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use, quality of life was markedly improved at the completion of rehabilitation. Completion of a Phase II cardiac rehabilitation program can lead to statistically significant increases in the quality of life following consequential cardiac events.