43 Long Covid (LC) patients within cardiac rehabilitation (CR): ‘making every contact count’ an opportunistic moment for primary prevention cardiovascular disease (CVD) targets in patients with cardiac symptoms

<h3>Background</h3> Patients with LC report persistent cardiac symptoms such as shortness of breath (SOB), palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, and chest tightness. The LC multi-disciplinary team (MDT) utilises cardiac rehabilitation for a) symptomatic screening and/or escalation to cardiology; and b) advice and reassurance about exercise. The screening also includes the opportunistic review of CVD risk factor assessment (blood pressure, lipids, healthy diet, QRisk 3 as required), alongside core CR. <h3>Aim</h3> To understand LC participation in CR by making the contact count, through understanding what is delivered, how is it delivered and what the service includes. <h3>Methods</h3> Thirty-four patients were referred to CR between October 2022 and July 2024 with long covid cardiac symptoms (SOB, fatigue, palpitations). Patients were routinely assessed with NEWS 2, NASA Lean Test, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and offered a functional exercise assessment as required. All patients were offered individual CR (circuits/core stability, strength and balance, chair-based exercise, and lifestyle intervention). <h3>Results</h3> Thirty-four referrals were made to CR (64% female and 35%) male with an average age of 52.5 years. 5 patients were already under cardiologists (14.7%), 3 patients (8.8%) were referred by CR for further cardiology assessment including rapid access chest pain clinic (RACPC). 73% of patients were overweight (BMI&gt;25), 11.7% had a (BMI 30-35), 11.7% (BMI 35-40) and 8.8% had morbid obesity.11.7% had existing type 2 diabetes. 14.7% were reviewed for blood pressure management and or titrations within CR and 20.5% of patients were not at accepted lipid targets for primary prevention CVD and were also managed within core CR. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Core CR is a suitable venue for patients with LC who require access to CVD prevention strategies and care. Patients can be clinically assessed and referred to cardiology. CR can manage the primary prevention CVD risk profile within core CR (cardio-protective therapies and includes all medical and lifestyle modification interventions within the usual CR model making the primary prevention contact count in the pursuit of the CVD burden.