Effectiveness of a home-based cardiovascular disease prevention program during the COVID-19 pandemic. (4th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chockalingam, P; Natarajan, V; Sekar, T; Rajaram, A; Yusuf, M M; Gunasekaran, S; Nayar, P G; Chockalingam, V
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 43(2022)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2022-02-04
• Subjects: Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab849.156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-668X

Abstract

Abstract: Funding Acknowledgements: Type of funding sources: None. Background: Home-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention (HBPP) and cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) programs which occupied a small proportion of the overall Preventive Cardiology work in the past have become mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose: This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of a home-based CVD prevention program implemented during the pandemic in India. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on pre-pandemic and pandemic enrolees. Health behaviour, CVD risk factors, physical and mental component score (PCS, MCS) from SF-12 questionnaire, body mass index (BMI), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed. A multidisciplinary team consisting of Physician, Physiotherapist, Dietician and Counselling Psychologist provided the program using tele-health platforms. Results: Of the 66 subjects (55 ± 13 years, 73% male), 17 (26%) enrolled pre-pandemic and 49 (74%) enrolled during-pandemic, 28 (42%) were HBPP and 38 (58%) were HBCR participants. Majority of the subjects (n = 51, 77%), with significantly more HBCR than HBPP participants, harboured 4 or more risk factors (p = 0.04). In the 60 (91%) program completers, BMI, 6MWD, PCS and MCS had improved significantly. SBP, DBP, LVEF, HbA1c, total cholesterol and LDL had improved significantly in affected subjects. Completely home-based participants (n = 44, 67%) who never had any in-person contact with the team during the program also showed significant improvement. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Comprehensive home-based CVD prevention programs are effective in improving anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and psychosocial parameters, are a safe alternative to conventional programs and could potentially become the standard-of-care in the post-pandemic era.