Home physical training effects on cardiovascular and choleretic systems in patients with coronary heart disease and gastrointestinal pathology

Abstract

Aim. To study the prevalence of choleretic system pathology in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and recent acute coronary events; to assess the effects of the long-term, moderate-intensity physical training (PT) programme on the gallbladder (GB) function, lipid metabolism, and exercise capacity (EC).
Material and methods. First, the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms was assessed in CHD patients with recent acute coronary events. Second, 85 patients with concomitant GB dysfunction were randomised into the main group (MG; n=43) receiving moderate-intensity PT, or the comparison group (CG; n=42). The intervention effectiveness was assessed by the clinical, functional, and biochemical parameters at baseline and 12 months later. All patients received standard pharmaceutical treatment, as required.
Results. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 81 % of the patients, including 75,9 % with hypotonic-hypokinetic GB dysfunction. The six-minute walk test distance increased. After the PT course, the GB volume decreased from 37,5±2,7 to 27,3±2,1 ml in the MG, and did not change in the CG. GB dysfunction prevalence decreased by 62,7 % in the MG and increased by 3,1 % in the CG.
Conclusion. In CHD patients after acute coronary events, the prevalence of GB dysfunction was 78,9 %. The longterm, moderate-intensity PH programme, combined with standard pharmaceutical therapy, improved EC, reduced angina attack incidence, and normalised GB motoric function and serum lipid profile in CHD patients with concomitant GB dysfunction.