Age-Dependency of Clinical Characteristics of Patients Participating Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Results from the German

Background: Cardiovascular rehabilitation in Germany traditionally is offered as inpatient service often located far from patient’s residence, and ambulatory rehabilitation still represents a minority. The German Registry of Ambulatory Cardiac Rehabilitation (KARREE) was designed to contribute to rehabilitation quality assurance and to evaluate clinical characteristics of patients participating in ambulatory rehabilitation centers. Methods: In four ambulatory rehabilitation centers 2989 patients were consecutively registered from 2008 to 2011 and evaluated with respect to social status, cardiovascular diagnoses and risk factors, psychological status, medication and short term clinical and social outcome. Results: Most patients referred to the ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation had an acute cardiovascular event, with patients after acute coronary syndrome representing the majority (59.9%). Female were strongly underrepresented (16.7%). Patient’s clinical characteristics varied with the age groups evaluated ( 70 years). Whereas the reported physical inactivity, overweight and cigarette smoking was declining with age, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased. Furthermore the reported and evaluated psychosocial stress was declining with age. Regarding the group of patients still employed, 43.5 % were estimated as fit for work directly at the end of the rehabilitation program, whereas a stepwise reintegration into employment was performed in 16.7%. The majority of patients were transferred to ambulatory heart groups or other forms of after care for stabilizing regular physical activity. Conclusions: The large variation of the characteristics of patients participating cardiac rehabilitation underscore the need of an individualized approach for a successful implementation of secondary prevention and reintegration of these patients into their social life.