title: Activity progression in acute cardiac patients.
abstract: Progressive advancement of activity in cardiac patients is well documented in the literature. However, the concern in today's practice centers on balancing prudent progression of activity with a cost-effective delivery of care. This article presents a review of the literature, comparing the state of knowledge with current clinical pathway suggestions for activity therapy in various cardiac populations. An overview of the historical background and the physiological adaptations to bedrest, orthostasis, and exercise are described. Research documenting energy costs and cardiovascular responses to activities of daily living, such as bathing, toileting, and ambulating is also critiqued. Generalizability of research findings is examined, particularly regarding the heterogeneity of cardiac populations (i.e., effects of age, gender, multiple medications, comorbidity), and implications for practice are addressed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, USA.
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Tyler
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001510:Bed Rest; D019091:Critical Pathways; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors