Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program to assist in the quick recovery of cardiac patients while improving their overall physical, mental and social functioning. The goal is to stabilize, slow or even reverse progression of cardiovascular disease, reducing the future risk of heart disease, another cardiac event or death. Cardiac rehabilitation programs include:
• Counseling: so the patient can understand and manage their own disease process including nutritional changes
• Beginning an exercise program, while supplying information on the physical limits
• Helping the patient modify secondary risk factors such as managing hypertension, smoking cessation, reducing blood cholesterol levels, reducing physical inactivity, obesity and managing diabetes.
• Lending emotional support and counseling on appropriate use of prescribed medications
There is a need for practical guidance among all professionals involved in the management of these patients, from residents and fellows of cardiology and internal medicine, surgical teams, physiotherapy professionals, critical care physicians and family medicine practitioners