Comprehensive therapeutic program for cardiovascular patients: role of a sports medicine unit in collaboration with local gymnasiums.
Although there is mounting evidence stressing the therapeutic role of physical activity, the reality of the situation is very different with only a small minority of patients directed toward a comprehensive rehabilitation program after hospital discharge, and some categories of patients who could benefit from such programs are often excluded from them. Therefore, within our Sports Medicine Service, we have created a unit for the prescription of physical exercise initially directed at patients suffering from chronic heart failure, patients who have undergone coronary angioplasty for at least two-vessel disease or have diabetes or have suffered restenosis or have an overall stent length of at least 6 cm or all, patients suffering from obliterating artery disease of the legs and claudication and patients who have undergone heart transplantation. After the initial clinical evaluation and functional assessment, which comprises a Mader Test and strength tests, patients undergo a supervised combined aerobic and resistance training with training titration based on a metabolic parameter. At the end of the in-hospital phase, patients are given a realistic opportunity to continue their training through a collaboration we have established with selected gymnasiums in our area and are periodically reassessed for adjustment of their training loads.
Sarto
Patrizio
P
Unità Operativa di Medicina dello Sport, Ospedale di Noale, Piazza Bastia 1- 30033 Noale, Venice, Veneto, Italy. patriziosarto@E-Mail.it
Merlo
Laura
L
Astolfo
Paola
P
Sarto
Marzia
M
Bedin
Luisa
L
Noventa
Donatella
D
D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011633:Public Facilities; D020127:Recovery of Function; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D016896:Treatment Outcome