Comprehensive telemedicine support in remote cardiac rehabilitation (RCR) programs, including monitoring of indicators, communication tools and medical support, is able to influence the risk factors (RF) of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
OBJECTIVE
To study the effectiveness of the 12-month RCR program on the physical resistance level (PhRL), blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), glycaemia, lipid profile, smoking and satisfaction with telemedicine care among CDV patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study included the patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) or/and arterial hypertension (AH) of grade 1—3 without cognitive dysfunction and contraindications for physical rehabilitation who have a mobile device. RCR-groups (28 patients, 86% men, average age 55.2±10.7) and traditional follow-up (30 patients, 80% men, and average age 64.7±6.9) were identified. The RCR model was used which provides for office consulting; monitoring based on home registration devices, mobile applications and «Patient Diary»; delayed telemedicine counseling. The dynamics of FP and indicators characterizing arterial hypertension, smoking, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and patient satisfaction with remote assistance were assessed.
RESULTS
After the completion of the RCR program, there was a decrease in systolic (SBP) from 144±15 to 130±16 mm Hg (p=0.02) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from 83.6±11.2 to 73.3±11.3 mm Hg (p=0.03); total cholesterol (TC) from 5.3±1.3 mmol/L to 4.0±1.0 mmol/L (p=0.02); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from 2.77±0.9 to 1.9±0.9 mmol/L (p=0.04); and triglycerides (TG) from 1.61±0.28 to 1.33±0.61 mmol/L (p=0.01) with a sufficiently high satisfaction of patients with telemedicine help (20.9±11.2 points).
CONCLUSION
12-month RCR programs can be effective in improving the RF CVD profile in middle-aged/elderly patients with CVD. The advantage of the study is also the fact of long-term participation of patients in the RCR program; otherwise, they cannot receive CR. There was evidence of high patient satisfaction with telemedicine assistance provided within the program.
