Data collection
For all of the patients, we collected baseline clinical and biological characteristics, indications for CR and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, dyslipidaemia). Patients were considered dyslipidaemic when plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations were above the recommended target or when they were taking hypolipidaemic agents. Data on diabetes, including type of diabetes, duration of diabetes, treatment, complications and need to be referred to a diabetologist during the CR programme, were also collected.
Coronary heart disease was defined as the occurrence of an acute coronary event (ACE), angina pectoris, the presence of coronary artery occlusion on the coronary angiogram, percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement, or coronary artery bypass surgery. Peripheral artery disease was defined as the presence of intermittent claudication, a history of limb artery surgery, or an abnormal lower limb Doppler ultrasound scan.