Purpose: Insomnia and sleep length have been associated with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to examine association of insomnia and cardiac rehabilitation program results.
Methods: 494 files of patients who joined CR (Cardiac Rehabilitation) program during the period 1.1.2011 -1.1.2013 were examined retrospectively. Criteria for insomnia were either regular use of ≥ 1 hypnotic, sleeping pills, or patient self-report of insomnia of ≥ 1 month duration. Demographic indices, risk factors, adherence time to program and exercise indices were evaluated and compared to all patients.
Results: 57 patients (11.5%), of whom 23 (40.3%) females suffered from insomnia, compared to 23.3% female pts in the entire group (p 0.05), program adherence time was 11+/-2.1 weeks compared to 13.5 +/- 3.6 (p=0.07, n.s.). 51 (89.5%) of insomnia pts preferred late afternoon hours (15:00 – 18:00) for training compared to entire group preference of early morning hours (06:00 – 10:00). Hypertension was more prevalent in these pts, 75.4% vs 47.2% (p 0.05).
Insomnia hypertensive women = 21/23 (91/3%) vs entire group hypertensive women = 72/115 ( 62.6%), p0.05. Exercise indices (METS, exercise duration, heart rate & blood pressure responses) were similar.
Conclusions: Female gender, hypertension, and preference of late afternoon training hours prevail among insomnia patients.
