First experience of a comprehensive outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program

213 patients (197 males and 16 females, mean age 58.5 years) have taken par t during the first 5 years in our comprehensive outpatient cardiac rehabili tation program (101 patients after acute myocardial infarction, 73 patients after heart surgery and 39 patients with various cardiac problems). The pr ogram consists of three elements: (1.) regular physical training in an outp atient group three times a week for 6-12 weeks; (2.) information and educat ion of the patient and if possible of the family about risk factors and lif e-style changes, and (3.) psychosocial support. During 10.838 hours of acti ve rehabilitation, no life-threatening complication occurred. After complet ion of the program, 73% of the patients were fully rehabilitated (return to work in the active working population, reintegration in the family and dai ly life in the retired and non-working patients), 15% of the patients inter rupted the program because of further invasive treatment, and in 11% the go al of the rehabilitation program was not achieved. Follow-up was carried ou t by a questionnaire 3-56 months (mean 25 months) later. The percentage of smokers decreased from 55% before the program to 18% (p < 0.05), regular ph ysical exercise increased from 49% to 76% (p < 0.05), and the perceived str ess level of high intensity decreased from 53 to 9% (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program i n an outpatient setting in conjunction with a community hospital is feasibl e: it can be conducted with a high degree of safety and is followed by cons iderable lifestyle changes.