INTRODUCTION: Functional capacity is a strong predictor of mortality and nonfatal cardiovascular outcomes in both men and women with and without coronary artery disease. This study aimed to compare the distance traveled of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to the metabolic equivalent (MET) of the treadmill exercise test (TET) as a measure of functional capacity among healthy ManilaMed (Medical Center Manila) employees and to determine and compare the distance traveled in 6MWT and the MET of TET according to general characteristics such as age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) as determinants of maximal walking distance and the cause of the early termination of the TET. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective cross-sectional study done at a private tertiary hospital. All participants underwent TET and 6MWT. Metabolic equivalent of TET, distance traveled in 6MWT, and the computed MET of the distance traveled were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty healthy employees performed both the 6MWT and the TET to measure their functional capacity. Twenty-two were males, and 28 were females. The mean age was 31.80 ± 7.17 years, and the mean ± SD for BMI was 25.05 ± 4.32 kg/m2. Using 400 m as predictor of good functional capacity, the farther the distance traveled (>400 m), the higher the MET they achieved in the TET, and the lower the distance traveled (<400 m), the lower the MET achieved in the TET (t test P = 0.0125). This study also showed that more than or equal to 400-m distance traveled in the 6MWT can be used as a measure of good functional capacity in this population. However, there was a significant difference (t test P = 0.006) in the computed MET in the 6MWT in relation to the MET achieved in TET. In this study age, sex, and BMI were the predictors of the distance traveled in the 6MWT (P = 0.0049) and in the TET. CONCLUSION The distance traveled in meters in the 6MWT can be used as an objective measure of functional capacity in healthy population, and >400-m distance can be used as a parameter of good functional capacity. The formula used to compute MET in the 6MWT is not comparable with the MET achieved in TET. Age, sex, and BMI significantly influenced the performance in the 6MWT and TET.

Introduction: Lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are proven to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, some individuals experience acute coronary events despite normal LDL-C levels. Recent studies have focused on modifiable lipoprotein targets, such as apolipoprotein B (apo-B) and apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-1) and lipoprotein (a), as targets for therapy. Apo-B is the primary apolipoprotein of LDL-C representing total number of atherogenic particles. Apolipoprotein A-1 is the major component of HDL complex. This study will determine the prevalence of elevated apo-B and low apo A-1 among adult Filipinos with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 95 patients with ACS admitted in a tertiary hospital from November 2015 to May 2016. Levels of apo-B, apoA-1, lipoprotein (a), total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured within 24 hours upon admission. Results: Forty-eight (48%) percent of patients was diagnosed with Non ST-Elevation-ACS, 39% with ST-Elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 13% with unstable angina.Thirtytwo (32%) percent were on low- to high-intensity statin treatment. The mean LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and HDL-C levels were 109 mg/dL, 135 mg/dL, and 36.89 mg/dL, respectively. The prevalence of elevated apo-B (mean=103.79 mg/ dL; target:<80 mg/dL) was 82%, while that of low apo A-1 (mean=119 mg/dL; target: >120 mg/dL for males, >140 mg/dL for females) was 63%. Lipoprotein (a) levels are high (mean = 48.51 nmol/L; normal:<35 nmol/L) in 42% of patients. Among those on statin therapy, the mean LDL-C was 85 mg/dl, but the mean apo B and lipoprotein (a) levels were elevated at 87.57 mg/dL and 41 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion Elevated levels of apo B and lipoprotein (a) and low level of apo A-1 are highly prevalent in patients with ACS. Apo-B and lipoprotein (a) levels are likewise elevated among patients with normal LDL levels.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Apolipoproteins