Effects of exercise intervention on patients with stroke with prior coronary artery disease: Aerobic capacity, functional ability and lipid profile: A pilot study

Objective: To assess the effects of exercise intervention on aerobic capacity, functional ability and lipid profile in patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease. Patients: Fifteen patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease. Methods: Patients were enrolled in a moderate-intensity exercise intervention using a graded treadmill for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, their aerobic capacity and functional ability were assessed by the exercise testing and Barthel index, respectively. The total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglyceride, and TC/HDL were also evaluated using an enzyme auto-analyser. Results: After training, the patients' absolute peak oxygen consumption (VO2) was increased (p < 0.01); their functional ability was significantly improved (p < 0.01); and their TC, LDL, triglyceride, and TC/HDL levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.01). However, HDL level did not change significantly. In addition, Pearson analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the increase in peak VO2 and the decrease in TC/HDL (r = -0.72,p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results suggest that exercise intervention is beneficial for aerobic capacity, functional ability, and some parts of the lipid profile in patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease.