Therapeutic effect of cardiac rehabilitation on patients with long COVID combined with coronary heart disease: a retrospective study

Objectives To investigate the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with long COVID combined with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods This retrospective study included 89 patients with long COVID, who were divided into CHD group and non-CHD group. The clinical indexes such as maximum heart rate and oxygen saturation during cardiac rehabilitation were compared between the two groups of subjects. The 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Nicotine Dependence Detection Scale (FTND) and the Depression Screening Scale (PHQ-9) were administered to patients. The same measures were re-administered to the patients after 3 months to explore the long-term effects of cardiac rehabilitation therapy. Results Before receiving treatment, the maximum heart rate, maximum diastolic blood pressure and minimum SpO 2 of the CHD group were significantly lower than those of the non-CHD group. The maximum heart rate, maximum systolic blood pressure, and 6-MWT were significantly lower before treatment than those at three months for both groups of patients. The PSQI, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and FTND scores were significantly higher before treatment than those at three months for both groups of patients. Comparison of differences between the two groups before and after treatment revealed that the CHD group had significantly worse cardiovascular measurements after SARS-CoV-2 infection than the non-CHD group. Conclusion Patients with long COVID combined with CHD have more severe symptoms, especially for their cardiac function. Cardiac rehabilitation can effectively improve patients' symptoms, and has long-term effects.