title: Cardiac rehabilitation series: Canada.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Canada. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has a long robust history here, and there are established clinical practice guidelines. While the effectiveness of CR in the Canadian context is clear, only 34% of eligible patients participate, and strategies to increase access for under-represented groups (e.g., women, ethnic minority groups) are not yet universally applied. Identified CR barriers include lack of referral and physician recommendation, travel and distance, and low perceived need. Indeed there is now a national policy position recommending systematic inpatient referral to CR in Canada. Recent development of 30 CR quality indicators and the burgeoning national CR registry will enable further measurement and improvement of the quality of CR care in Canada. Finally, the Canadian Association of CR is one of the founding members of the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, to promote CR globally.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Canada; Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: sgrace@yorku.ca.
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Chris I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Ardern
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D016730:Program Development; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Canada; Cardiovascular disease; Incidence; Referral; Rehabilitation