6 articles celebrating Cardiac Rehabilitation Week

The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation celebrated Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, which runs from Feb. 11-17 to raise awareness of cardiac rehabilitation’s contribution to improving the health and physical performance of people at risk for heart disease, as well as those who have been diagnosed with heart dysfunction.

According to a press release from the society, you can celebrate during American Heart Month by hosting risk factor screenings, health fairs, open houses or seminars or contacting your affiliate society for information and activities in your area.

To emphasize the importance of cardiac rehabilitation, Cardiology Today has compiled a list of six articles discussing cardiac rehabilitation and its benefits.

Veterans more likely to use cardiac rehabilitation when home-based option available

Veterans hospitalized with ischemic heart disease more often participated in cardiac rehabilitation when a home-based program was available to them, according to a research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The Veterans Health Administration has begun implementing home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs to counter two common causes of underuse, lack of transportation and limited access to programs, David A. Schopfer, MD, MAS, from the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and the department of medicine at the San Francisco VA Health Care System, and colleagues wrote.

Cardiac rehabilitation improves physical fitness, quality of life in CAD

Patients with symptomatic CAD who completed an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program had improved peak oxygen uptake and quality of life, according to a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

Birgitta Blakstad Nilsson, PhD, senior researcher in the department of medicine at University of Oslo in Norway, and colleagues analyzed data from 133 patients who underwent revascularization for symptomatic CAD. Patients were referred to and completed a 12-week outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program from January 2011 to February 2015. Those who were excluded had conditions such as chronic HF, symptomatic peripheral artery disease and severe arrhythmias.

Tai chi viable option for patients declining cardiac rehabilitation

Tai chi may be a safe and effective alternative option for the improvement of physical activity among patients with CHD who decline enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation, according to data published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

According to the study background, nearly one-quarter of patients who survive an acute coronary event will experience another CV event or are at risk for mortality in the next 5 years. Despite this, more than 60% of patients decline participation in cardiac rehabilitation after MI.

Coalition for women with heart disease publishes health care policy recommendations

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease released policy recommendations intended to guide Congress in improving access to health care for women with heart disease, according to a press release.

One recommendation is to pass HR 1155, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make rehabilitation programs more accessible, especially in rural areas.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women,” Mary McGowan, CEO for WomenHeart, said in the release. “Nearly 48 million women are living with or at risk for heart disease, which means it directly or indirectly impacts every American.”

After MI and surgery, lifestyle modification crucial for successful recovery

Cardiac surgery is often a lifesaving intervention for patients with MI. Bypass surgery and percutaneous intervention can play a crucial role in repairing blocked or damaged arteries and preventing a fatal MI. However, the patient also plays a very important role in secondary prevention after cardiac surgery or PCI. Patients must make lifestyle changes to prevent additional MI.

Cardiology Today and Healio.com/Cardiology spoke with Robert A. Vogel, MD, clinical professor of medicine at University of Colorado at Denver and advising cardiologist to the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab program, about the importance of patient awareness and lifestyle modification during recovery and for secondary prevention of MI.

Cardiac rehab reduces CV events after MI

WASHINGTON — Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation benefits patients who have had an MI in preventing adverse events, according to evidence presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session.

The ACC/American Heart Association guidelines recommend exercise-based cardiac rehab as secondary prevention. Rehabilitation includes nutrition counseling, patient assessment, weight management, lipid management, BP management, diabetes management, tobacco cessation and psychosocial management. The presentation mainly focused on physical activity counseling and exercise training.