Influence of a cardiac rehabilitation programme on the return to work of workers with ischaemic heart disease: Influence of a cardiac rehabilitation programme

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the employment status of patients who have experienced ischemic heart disease one year after undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. For this, a quasi-experimental pre-post study without a control group of active workers aged 18 to 65 years diagnosed with ischemic heart disease and included in a cardiac rehabilitation programme was conducted. Sociodemographic and occupational data, cardiovascular risk factors and clinical-therapeutic data on heart disease were collected. A total of 214 patients were included, of which 115 patients returned to work. Several clinical factors contributing to return to work were identified: preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction (≥55%), < 3 obstructed coronary vessels, and stent revascularisation. Socio-occupational factors that may positively influence return to work were identified: age < 50 years, absence of anxious-depressive symptoms, higher level of education, and occupations with low physical strain. Cardiac rehabilitation is effective in improving cardiac function and health-related quality of life in workers with ischemic heart disease. Return to work and duration of temporary incapacity were associated with clinical-therapeutic variables and psycho-socio-occupational factors, such as type of job, physical strain, anxiety and depression, and age of the worker.