CARDIAC REHABILITATION

Course overview

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD) IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH WORLDWIDE AND THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES. CARDIAC REHABILITATION IS CUSTOMIZED TO INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS. CANDIDATES FOR CARDIAC REHABILITATION INCLUDE PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES SUCH AS ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE, HEART FAILURE, OR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTIONS, OR PATIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS SUCH AS CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY OR CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING. CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AIM TO LIMIT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESSES ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, REDUCE THE RISK OF ASSOCIATED MORTALITY, AND IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION TO HELP PATIENTS OPTIMIZE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND PHASES OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC REHABILITATION.