The effect of a lifestyle intervention programme on coronary artery bypass graft patients in the post-operative phase

M.Phil. (Biokinetics)Although coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is well-established worldwide as a safe, effective operation for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), it is an invasive procedure that often leaves patients feeling very anxious about the recovery process. The post-surgery phase should not only entail exercise intervention, but should also be paralleled with education and counselling to encourage patients to become responsible for the management of their own health and to achieve good functional capacity and quality of life (QoL). This prospective longitudinal study was aimed at achieving return to health and wellness in a group of CABG patients (n=18) with a mean age of 65 years. Four questionnaires were administered at the pre- and post-test, including Stone’s Heart Disease Risk Factor Questionnaire (1984), Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire (1978), Hawkes and Nowak Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (1998) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Morphological variables, biological and physiological fitness parameters, and health-related fitness were also assessed at the pre- and post-test. Prescribed exercise and lifestyle modifications were employed over twelve weeks, with emphasis on healthier nutrition and improved mental health. The level of significance was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05) and 1% (p ≤ 0.0167). The findings in this study reflected significant improvements in heart disease risk, kilocalorie expenditure, nutrition knowledge, physical and mental QoL, waist circumference, body fat percentage, resting and recovery systolic blood pressure, aerobic endurance, flexibility, agility and dynamic balance, and lower-body strength. However, no significant changes were found in distance walked per day, body weight, body mass index, resting heart rate, resting diastolic blood pressure, blood cholesterol, maximum heart rate, maximum systolic and diastolic blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion, recovery heart rate, and recovery diastolic blood pressure. In addition, a deleterious change was found in blood glucose. Significant improvements were noted in the QoL and nutrition knowledge of this group of participants. The role limitations due to physical health reflected the most prominent improvement, indicating that the intervention positively influenced overall health, wellness, and activities of daily living. This study concluded that cardiac rehabilitation encompassing exercise intervention, nutrition guidelines, and psychosocial advice has been successful in improving the QoL of patients who have undergone CABG surgery