Investigating Effectiveness of a Pritikin-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Patients with Heart Disease

Abstract

Objectives The primary objectives of this study were to: assess change in dietary habits and health outcomes [body mass index (BMI), weight loss, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and Hemoglobin A1c (A1C)] among patients following completion of an intensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. Methods This retrospective cohort study involved de-identified data obtained from an electronic medical record (EMR) program and from an excel spreadsheet maintained at a hospital in Arkansas. Data were available from 138 adults, age 29 to 89 years, with a pre-existing heart condition or event, and who completed a 12-week CR program at the hospital's Clinic. Dietary habits were evaluated using the 24-question Rate Your Plate (RYP) survey at initial visit, and discharge. RYP and weight data were also available for a group of patients (n = 18) completing a 3-month follow-up visit. Results There was a statistically significant (P < .0001) mean increase (8.24; 95% CI, 7.03 to 9.45) from the pre-RYP score (51.05 ± 7.43) to the post-RYP score (59.29 ± 6.58). There was a statistically significant (P < .0005) median decrease in weight (−2.00 lbs.) after post-intervention (193.50 lbs.) compared to pre-intervention (195.50 lbs.). There were also significant (P < .05) differences between pre- and post-measurements of BMI, WC, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Follow-up data indicated significant changes in the RYP score (P < .0001) and weight (P = .020) were maintained at 3-months follow-up. Conclusions A 12-week CR program including nutrition education and counseling is effective to help patients with CVD or previous heart events improve their dietary habits. There were noticeable changes in diet scores, WC, BMI, and weight loss, with patients being able to sustain weight loss at their three-month follow-up visit (a 5% weight loss). Funding Sources N/A.