RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This study examined risk factor outcomes among patients who attended cardiac rehabilitation sessions, those who received traditional care, and those who attended Leap for Life workshops. METHODS: A non-equivalent, three-group design was used in this observational study. Baseline and 12-month measurements were collected for 217 participants. Analysis of covariance was performed to determine differences between groups on outcome variables. RESULTS: The only significant finding was in participants with an initial high-density lipoprotein value of less than 40. High-density lipoprotein levels increased more in the cardiac rehabilitation group than in the traditional care group (30.54 to 37.48 versus 30.17 to 33.67 [F= 4.577, p = .035]). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, a strong case can be made for the transition to more individually intense and focused risk factor modification strategies for patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs.