In a new scientific statement, researchers found that home-based medically supervised cardiac rehabilitation may benefit some patients after a heart attack or other heart procedure.
The home care can be an alternative to traditional medical center cardiac rehabilitation programs.
The statement is published by the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Cardiac rehabilitation is effective in cutting the risk of subsequent heart attacks, improving quality of life and avoiding further hospitalizations.
Previous research has shown that traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs are provided in a medical center.
The programs are conducted by a team of physicians, nurses, psychologists, registered dieticians, and other professionals.
The team can help patients recover from heart attacks, bypass surgery, angioplasty, heart failure, and other conditions
A typical program includes exercise training, nutrition and psychological counseling tailored to each patient’s needs.
But the challenge is that about 80% of U.S. patients who would benefit from cardiac rehabilitation do not participate in such programs.
It is important to need to find new ways of delivering cardiac rehabilitation programs to patients.
In the statement, the researchers suggest that home-based care is an excellent option for some patients who cannot attend a center-based program.
The team presents a framework for home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs that helps ensure patients get scientifically-based, standardized care.
According to them, patients whose heart disease is stable can benefit from home-based cardiac rehabilitation.
The main feature is that supervision and coaching are done remotely, using smartphones or other technology.
Patients need to be monitored for any heart disease symptoms or for side effects of medications.
The team suggests that heart attack, heart bypass, and other heart patients should talk with their health care providers about their rehabilitation options.
The leader of the statement is Randal J. Thomas, M.D., M.S., chair of the writing group for the statement.
The study is published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Copyright © 2019 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
