Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation s a medically supervised program including procedures designed to maximize physical and functional capacity of patients with cardiac disorders. Before 1990, patients who experienced a severe heart condition or surgery (infarction, bypass etc.) would be prescribed with a long term bed rest. The studies have shown that the recovery time for such patients can be significantly shortened and the complications can be seriously reduced when treated with an early stage exercise therapy instead of bed rest. More importantly, it has been shown that the average lifespan of such patients can be extended. In the light of these findings, cardiac rehabilitation has been coined. Although it is still in very early stages in Turkey, the importance of cardiac rehabilitation has been established in developed European countries. In fact, some countries took this a step further to cover the costs of bypass surgery with the prerequisite of post surgical cardiac rehabilitation. In our country, ministry of health has recognized the importance of the issue and started practicing cardiac rehabilitation at some public hospitals.
Which Patients are Eligible for Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Patients with a history of infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting and other cardiovascular surgeries, heart failure and cardiac transplant that require cardiac rehabilitation.
Which Patients are Eligible for Cardiac Rehabilitation? Watch The Video
What are the Requirements of Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation aims accelerating recovery, improving physical condition, eliminating the fears, concerns and depression, enabling to regain social skills and most importantly extending the lifespan of the patients who are physically, emotionally and socially constrained due to cardiac disorders or surgeries.
Studies show that cardiac rehabilitation applications provide 30% decrease in the risk of second infarction and rates of mortality due to cardiovascular disorders.
What are the Requirements of Cardiac Rehabilitation? Watch The Video
Cardiac Rehabilitation Team
Cardiac Rehabilitation is basically a team work and ideally this team should include a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, cardiologist, a physiotherapist experienced on cardiac rehabilitation, dietitian and occupational therapist.
How to Perform Cardiac Rehabilitation
The cardiologist assesses the patient and determines the risks. If the patient is found eligible, a physical therapist assesses the patient and a personal exercise program is established upon cardiopulmoner exercise test. Patients are included in an aerobic, respiratory, postural, relaxation and mildly muscle strengthening exercise program under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists. Computer assisted advanced exercising devices that monitor the ECG, heart rhythm, O2 saturation level and blood pressure of the patient are used during these exercises.
The Outcomes of Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehabilitation improves patient’s condition;
Regulates the patient’s heart rate;
Drops blood pressure;
Improves systolic strength;
Increases oxygen consumption and exercise capacity;
Decreases the level of exertional malaise;
Improves coronary circulation;
Decreases body fat, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
Improves psychological condition and self-esteem of the patient.
The best medicine for the heart is exercising. No drug or drug combination can hold a candle to exercise. Cardiac rehabilitation enables the patients elude from the physical and social constraints of their cardiovascular conditions to become physically and socially active individuals enjoying life again.