Secondary prevention through cardiac rehabilitation: from knowledge to implementation. A position paper from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Section of the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.
Increasing awareness of the importance of cardiovascular prevention is not yet matched by the resources and actions within health care systems. Recent publication of the European Commission's European Heart Health Charter in 2008 prompts a review of the role of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) to cardiovascular health outcomes. Secondary prevention through exercise-based CR is the intervention with the best scientific evidence to contribute to decrease morbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease, in particular after myocardial infarction but also incorporating cardiac interventions and chronic stable heart failure. The present position paper aims to provide the practical recommendations on the core components and goals of CR intervention in different cardiovascular conditions, to assist in the design and development of the programmes, and to support healthcare providers, insurers, policy makers and consumers in the recognition of the comprehensive nature of CR. Those charged with responsibility for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, whether at European, national or individual centre level, need to consider where and how structured programmes of CR can be delivered to all patients eligible. Thus a novel, disease-oriented document has been generated, where all components of CR for cardiovascular conditions have been revised, presenting both well-established and controversial aspects. A general table applicable to all cardiovascular conditions and specific tables for each clinical disease have been created and commented.
Piepoli
Massimo Francesco
MF
Heart Failure Unit, Cardiac Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy. m.piepoli@ausl.pc.it
Corrà
Ugo
U
Benzer
Werner
W
Bjarnason-Wehrens
Birna
B
Dendale
Paul
P
Gaita
Dan
D
McGee
Hannah
H
Mendes
Miguel
M
Niebauer
Josef
J
Zwisler
Ann-Dorthe Olsen
AD
Schmid
Jean-Paul
JP
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D003376:Counseling; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D005060:Europe; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D012955:Societies, Medical; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents