Physical Activity, Functional Fitness and Quality of Life After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

• physical activity [ Time Frame: The participants were followed at one time points after operation in past 10 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  The level of physical activity was evaluated by the self-administrated long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which was permitted by the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, R.O.C.(Taiwan). It is an instrument that estimates the weekly time spent on the performance of physical activities according to intensity, in different contexts of life (workplace, household tasks, transport and leisure). Reported minutes per week in each category were weighted by a metabolic equivalent (MET; multiples of resting energy expenditure).
  
  

• physical fitness [ Time Frame: The participants were followed at one time points after operation in past 10 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  Physical fitness The outcome measures of physical fitness included body mass index(BMI), waist circumference(WC), grip strength, 30-second chair stand test, and six-minute walk test(6MWT).
  
  
• quality of life [ Time Frame: The participants were followed at one time points after operation in past 10 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  QOL was measured using abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. The original WHOQOL-BREF comprised 26 questions and included four domains: physical, psychological, social relationships, and environment. The WHOQOL-BREF scale has been adapted for Taiwan and added two questions appropriate for Taiwanese culture.
  
  

Heart diseases continue as the top 3 causes of death in Taiwan in recent ten years. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent fatal heart disease. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is now one of the most common procedures to treat CAD. It was reported that CABG intervention could prolong the life. However, outcomes of CABG have historically been measured in terms of mortality and recurrence of symptoms or complications.There is ample evidence to demonstrate the effect and benefit of cardiac rehabilitation in QOL and function activity in patients post CABG. However, the participation rate of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation is low, especially in women.Little research has been done to examine the physical activity, physical performance, and QOL in this population outside the cardiac rehabilitation setting.