Prevalence of anxiety in coronary patients with improvement following cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training

Numerous studies have indicated that psychological distress, including anxiety, is a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied 500 consecutive patients after recent CAD events and demonstrated a very high prevalence of generalized anxiety and moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, particularly in younger patients. In addition, our data demonstrate the abnormal CAD risk profiles in these anxious patients with CAD and the marked improvements in the overall risk profiles, levels of anxiety, and overall quality of life after cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training programs. Greater attention at detecting and treating chronic anxiety, particularly with formal cardiac rehabilitation, is needed for the secondary prevention of CAD.