New research from Flinders University has revealed that specialized cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs could significantly reduce the risk of hospital readmissions and death for individuals recovering from heart-related incidents.
Despite the evident benefits of CR programs, which blend support, exercise, and education under professional guidance to mitigate the stress of cardiovascular disease, the study points out a considerable underutilization of these programs.
This comprehensive analysis, described as the largest of its kind in Australia by Professor Robyn Clark of Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, examined data from 84,064 patients admitted to South Australian public hospitals for various heart conditions between 2016 and 2021.
Findings highlighted that only a third of eligible patients were referred to CR, and of these, only 36% started the program. However, once enrolled, the completion rate was high, with nearly 78% of participants finishing their CR program.
Participants who completed the CR program showed a 38% lower risk of dying or being readmitted for heart-related issues within 12 months after their referral, and similar benefits were observed up to three years post-referral.
Despite these positive outcomes, the study also sheds light on the challenges within the current referral system, including long waiting times and specific barriers preventing patient participation, particularly among those who are female, older, or dealing with other health conditions like cancer, stroke, or obesity.
Dr. Alline Beleigoli, the lead author and a Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University, emphasized the critical gap in utilizing CR to its fullest potential, noting disparities in referral rates and barriers to starting the program, such as depression and wait times.
Interestingly, the study found that delivering CR through telehealth significantly increased completion rates, particularly for those in regional and remote areas.
To enhance the impact of CR programs and improve cardiovascular outcomes, the researchers recommend quality improvement initiatives focused on promoting CR referrals, possibly through an automated system.
These initiatives should also aim to address participation barriers, improve access to telehealth services, and reduce waiting times, particularly for underrepresented groups.
This research underscores the vital role of CR in post-cardiac incident recovery and the need for a more inclusive and accessible approach to ensure that more patients can benefit from these potentially life-saving programs.
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The research findings can be found in Heart, Lung and Circulation.
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