Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) lowers the recurrence of cardiovascular disease and has strong and positive physical and psychological effects. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of life (QoL) of CR participants according to their monthly income and education levels in the early phase after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Material and methods

There were 128 participants (98 men and 30 women). Their socioeconomic status (SES) was evaluated and QoL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey. CR was initiated 3 weeks after treatment and remeasured after 3 months. The pre-post analysis was performed using the paired t-test. The participants’ education levels were defined in terms of a middle school group (low education [LE]), high school group (middle education [ME]), and above college group (high education [HE]). Monthly household income was divided into tertiles: up to US$2000 (low income [LI]), up to US$4000 (middle income [MI]), and more than US$4000 (high income [HI]).

Results

There was a significant increase in mental health status—from 54.9 to 63.3—in the HE group, but no significant changes were observed in the LE and ME groups. Physical changes were observed in all education-level groups.

The physical changes in the group according to monthly income significantly increased by 9.1% (66.8– 73.5) in the LI group, 7.8% (65.9–71.5) in the MI group, and 12.1% (62.7–71.3) in the HI group. Physical changes were observed in all monthly income groups. Changes in occupational physical activity levels significantly improved physical and mental status in the middle and high activity groups, but not in the low activity group.

Conclusion

Changes in QoL as an effect of short-term CR were effective. Changes in mental QoL were significant in higher SES levels and physical QoL was effective in all groups.