The Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Lipid Levels in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary medical program. Most studies have emphasized the effect of exercise-based CR in lowering lipid levels; however, the effect of CR as a comprehensive program on lipid levels remains unclear.

Methods: Electronic database were searched up to 2022. Randomized controlled trials with lipid profile indicators were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs were used to evaluate the effect size. Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test were used to assess publication bias.

Results: CR remarkably reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (SMD = –0.23; 95%CI: [–0.38, –0.08]; P < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) levels (SMD = –0.17; 95%CI: [–0.28, –0.06]; P < 0.001), and total cholesterol (TC) levels (SMD = –0.30; 95%CI: [–0.43, –0.16]; P < 0.001) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (SMD = 0.19; 95%CI: [0.10, 0.29]; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: CR reduce TC, TG, and LDL-C levels while improving HDL-C levels. CR should be promoted and more trials should be conducted for long-term CR.