Quality of Life and Self Efficacy in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients Over 70 Years of Age Following Acute Myocardial Infarction and Bypass Revascularization Surgery

Abstract

Does 12 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation improve quality of life and self efficacy in patients greater than 70 years of age following an acute myocardial infraction or bypass surgery? Three hundred forty four patients were divided into an Older group (70-89 years of age; n equals 122) and a younger group (50-69 years of age; n equals 222). Two hundred fifteen had bypass surgery (Surgical group) and 129 had a myocardial infarction (MI group). Quality of life emotions domain was greater for the Older group at week 12 (p equals 0.066). The Surgical group had greater increases in overall quality of life and quality of life limitations domain (p equals 0.012; p is less than 0.001). Self efficacy scores were greater for the Younger group. MI group had greater self efficacy at week 1, while the Surgical group was greater at week 12 (p is less than 0.001). These results suggest age and diagnosis related differences in quality of life and self efficacy. (c) 2000 by CVRR, Inc.